About the Authors
Introduction
Improving Schools Matter
Why a Resource on School Reviews?
What Makes This Approach Different?
Our Lens is the School
This is a How-to-Resource
1. Setting the Stage
Collaborative Schools Reviews: A Path for Improvement
What is a School Review?
What Distinguishes Collaborative School Reviews from Other Reviews?
Achieving Excellence-A Strategic Lens to Contextualize Collaborative School Reviews
Collaborative School Reivews as Opportunities for Transformational Change
Our Case Study: The Lone Birch School District
In Summary
2. Designing Collaborative School Reviews
Step One: Design Effectively
Link Collaborative School Reviews to District Vision, Mission and Transformational Agenda
Collaborative School Review Policy
Collaborative School Review Design/Process
Governance
Procedures and Protocols
Structure and Flow for the Review
Protocols for Classroom Observations
Expectations and Protocols for the Onsite Classroom Observations
Possible Questions for Members of the Review Team to Ask Students
Capacity Building
Stakeholder Engagement
Alignment with other Requirements/Processes
Conceptualizing the Collaborative School Review Process: Lone Birch
In Summary
3. Planning Commences at the District Level
Setting the Stage
System Level Planning Process and Detailed Work Plan
Capacity Building
Teams Matter
Leadership, Coordination, Planning at a System Level to Prepare for the Reviews
Composition of the External Review Teams
Developing a Self-Assessment Tool
Data Plan
Capacity Building Plan
Data Management-Creating a Data Tapestry
Lone Birch's Data Management Plan
Communication and Engagement
Communication Plan
Other Planning Considerations for Lone Birch
In Summary
4. Planning Continues at the School Level
Layering the School-based Priorities on the District Priorities
Pleasant Valley
Organizing for the Review
Areas for Focus and Feedback
Supporting Data
Logistics
Meadows Middle School
Organizing for the Review
Areas for Focus and Feedback
Supporting Data
Logistics
Harper High School
Organizing for the Review
Areas for Focus and Feedback
Supporting Data
Logistics
In Summary
5. The Day of the Review Arrives
Harper High
Introduction and Setting the Stage
Conducting the School Review
Debriefing and Sharing Findings and Feedback
Meadows Middle School
Introduction and Setting the Stage
Conducting the School Review
Debriefing and Sharing Findings and Feedback
Pleasant Valley Public School
Introduction and Setting the Stage
Conducting the School Review
Debriefing and Sharing Findings and Feedback
In Summary
6. Unpacking the Results: Ensuring Improvement Happens
Accountability Structure
Roles and Responsibilities
Verbal Feedback and Formal Report
Analysis: Unpacking the Reviews
Work Plan to Implement Suggested Changes
Unpacking the Reviews at the Schools
Pulling Out District Level Trends and Patterns
A Follow-Up Plan
Monitoring and Evaluation of Collaborative School Review Process
In Summary
7. Creating Excellence and Innovation from the Inside Out