A new report by LFA and Grunwald Associates, with support from AT&T, examines how parents perceive the value of mobile devices, how they see their children using mobiles, and what they think of the possibilities for mobile learning.
Public School Success Stories
Across the Country, public schools and districts are transforming themselves to prepare students for success in a 21st-century democracy and global society. Take a look at what educators and communities are doing right now to meet this challenge.
Or tell us what's working in your own school or district.
Story posted July 25, 2011
Results:
- Over the past five years, the percent of students meeting or exceeding standards on the ISAT has consistently increased
- The number of students in honors courses is steadily increasing: In the 2009-10 school, 62% of the student body was enrolled in one or more honors class [34% of whom were Black and 37% of whom were low income]
- Attendance at parent-teacher conferences and other contacts are above 90%
Franklin Middle School is located in the heart of an economically challenged neighborhood in the small urban city of Champaign in central Illinois. Though staffed by dedicated adults and attended by hardworking students, Franklin is recovering from a difficult past.
As a result of years of racial discord, segregation, and lawsuits, in January 2002, the Champaign Unit 4 School District adopted a judicial consent decree outlining an educational equity agreement. Key points included establishing processes for parental choice of schools and increased community involvement. ...
Glencliff High: Success through Partnerships
Story posted June 22, 2011
Results
Between 2007-08 and 2010-2011, Glencliff has had an:
- Increase in graduation rate - 66.4% to 81.2%
- Increase in student enrollment in Honors and/or AP courses - 20% to 33.3%
- Increase in student performance on writing assessment - 58% to 93% scored proficient or advanced
- Increase in students receiving Dual Enrollment credit with a community college +12%
Four years ago Glencliff High School in Nashville, TN rewrote their vision statement in order to create a profound change in the culture of the school. The first sentence reads, “Our vision is to make Glencliff High School a truly comprehensive place of learning and the central focus of the community.” Glencliff strives every day to bring that vision to reality, and has been successful in many ways. Since Glencliff has implemented the community schools strategy, they have leveraged the services and expertise of over 70 community partners and have seen significant increases in the ...
Ethel M. Taylor Academy--Engagement and Improvement
Story posted June 22, 2011
Results
- Met AYP, rising from “Academic Emergency” to “Continuous Improvement” on its Ohio Report Card in 2009-2010 school year
- 42.4% increase in the numbers of students scoring “Proficient” or higher on the Ohio Achievement Assessment
- Attendance increased from 93.8% in 2008-2009 to 97.3% in 2009-2010 and behavioral incidents decreased from 309 in 2008- 2009 to 94 in 2009-2010
- Parent attendance at parent teacher conferences increased from 40% in 2009 to 85% in 2010
Dion had always been an average student. He never loved going to school, but was never a huge “problem child” either. After a meeting with his teachers, Dion was identified as a student “on the bubble”, [a student on the verge of progressing from basic proficiency], but with the supportive services that the school offered, he could potentially thrive--without them he might fall through ...
Story posted June 2, 2011
Every year the American School Board Journal (with the National School Boards Association and Sodexo) recognizes excellent school district leadership with the Magna Awards. The following district is a 2011 winner.
RESULTS
- Students who participated in school-sponsored summer camps demonstrated impressive gains from pre- to post-assessments—especially students from higher-poverty schools.
- Participating teachers were pleased with the programs, and have committed to include more technology in their regular classroom instruction.
- The program produced intangible results in providing the neediest students with high-quality educational and social experiences.
Economically disadvantaged students consistently underperform academically. Research shows that socioeconomic factors such as family income are more significant in explaining differences in educational achievement than traditional factors such as race and ethnicity. 
One cause is limited exposure to experiences that promote intellectual development. Unlike their wealthier peers, poor students are rarely exposed to experiences that help them to succeed in school. Trips to the zoo, family vacations, and experience with technology give wealthier children advantages beginning in kindergarten. The Pasco County School Board supports the notion that increasing a student’s exposure to quality experiences can greatly influence a child’s potential to succeed. The district developed the Title I Pasco Environmental Adventure Camp Experience (PEACE) and ...
A Bright Future for All Students
Story posted May 20, 2011
Editor's Note: Shortly following the posting of this story, the deadliest tornado since record keeping began in 1950 hit the Joplin community. Learn more about its impact on district schools and how district schools are helping mobilize the community response from The Leading Source (the American School Board Journal's blog).
Every year the American School Board Journal (with the National School Boards Association and Sodexo) features Magna Awards to recognize excellent school district leadership. The following district is a 2011 winner.
Results:
More than 500 volunteers have contributed 3,000+ hours of service as mentors, tutors, and volunteers. - 54% reduction in the number of dropouts.
- Establishment of 233 community partnerships.
- More than $300,000 in cash and in-kind donations.
- Creation of a rapid response system to meet basic needs of students within a 24-hour period.
Joplin, in southwest Missouri, has a rich history as an old mining town. As the jobs created by the mining industry went away, high poverty and low expectations replaced what was once a thriving community. With 56.2 percent of Joplin’s 7,802 students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, kids have many basic needs to be met for them to be successful. One out of four freshman entering Joplin High School would not graduate. Almost 200 high school students dropped out in the 2008-09 school year. Realizing the culture of the school community had to change, in 2008 the Joplin school board started the process of strategic planning to ...
New Mexico Initiative Revitalizes Schools and Their Communities
Story posted April 28, 2011
Results:
- RRI projects have improved school attendance, decreased discipline problems, and resulted in more active student engagement
- RRI has allowed more students to take dual credit classes and provided educational and job opportunities for community adults
- RRI districts have an impressive number of school-business-community partnerships with local businesses, state agencies, national organizations, and colleges and universities
A major problem facing rural schools is the current trend toward lessening economic opportunity in their communities. When the economic climate is poor, local schools have fewer resources, and when job options seem dismal, students have less incentive to put forth effort in school.
State officials in New Mexico recognize this problem, and have developed a comprehensive approach to revitalizing rural communities that puts schools—and students—at its core.
The New Mexico Rural Revitalization Initiave
Modeled after a successful rural revitalization program in South Australia, the New Mexico Rural Revitalization Initiative (NMRRI) engages a committee of stakeholders to participate in “extended discovery conversations” with ...
Stuart Elementary Handles Children, Community with Care
Story posted January 29, 2009.
Updated March 23, 2011.
Results:
• In 2010, more than 90% of students in grades 3-5 met or exceeded state standards in reading, math, and science
• Named a Title I Distinguished School for four years running
"Today, class, we're going to cover SOL 3.1, scientific investigations," says Frenishee Smith, a third-grade teacher at J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School in Richmond, Va., referring to Virginia's Standards of Learning. "What do you have on your body that helps you make observations?"
"Your brain," answers one student.
"Exactly, because your brain tells everything what to do. That's our computer. What else?"
After each student called upon names the five different senses, Smith pulls out from her desk drawer an empty food can covered with a black sock and little colored pom-poms. "Before we go on, I want to introduce you to my field can," she says, which is met with ...
Story posted January 27, 2011
Results:
• More than 95% of the graduating class of 2010 earned college hours, with two-thirds of students earning at least a semester of college credit
• 82% graduation rate for the class of 2008 (the most recent for which data is available), compared to 79% for the state as a whole and 75% for the district's region
In the late 1980s, the Hidalgo Independent School District ranked in the bottom 10 percent of Texas districts in student achievement. But during the next two decades, Hidalgo’s leaders took a series of steps that improved student performance and gained support throughout the community. Chief among these transformations were efforts to focus everyone—from bus drivers to principals and from teachers to school board members—on doing what it takes to raise student achievement. This included shifting the board to be more open to innovation and change. It also featured efforts to get principals, assistant principals, and teachers working together in teams to improve instruction and curriculum.
When Dr. Daniel P. King became superintendent in 1999, one of his most visible early actions was to require students to wear uniforms. The decision was made in order to end discipline problems associated with gang colors, put all students on an equal footing, and develop a positive and inclusive school identity.
According to former Hidalgo students, there were changes in attitudes immediately. Former student Susana Phillips, who now has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas-Austin, said, “The gangs died down. It was a joke to ...
Story posted January 3, 2011
Results:
• Alabama is among the top states in improving its graduation rate - nearly 7% over the past six years (nationally, the graduation rate has increased approximately 3% over the past seven years)
School districts across the country are working hard to stem the dropout crisis by developing multifaceted programs that involve teachers, parents, and community agencies. Given the myriad of reasons that students decide to leave school - from poor academic performance and student-teacher conflicts to teen pregnancy and family issues - the use of graduation coaches has proven effective in increasing the number of high school graduates and in preparing the next generation of students for the world of work, particularly in the state of Alabama. ...
Story posted December 9, 2010
Results:
• In both 2009 and 2010, Alcott's students outperformed their peers in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District
• In 2010, Alcott's fifth-graders outperformed their peers across the state in reading, math and science
Louisa May Alcott serves a challenging population: 100 percent of students are economically disadvantaged and about a third are designated as special education. Students often enroll with emotional and social problems, difficult family issues and low academic achievement. But thanks to an outstanding faculty and staff, these hurdles are by no means insurmountable. On the 2009 state assessment, Alcott students outperformed Cleveland students in general: 77 percent scored proficient in reading, compared with 49 percent districtwide. Similarly, 75 percent of Alcott students were proficient in math, compared with 41 percent of students who were proficient districtwide. The results for special needs students were just as impressive—in both math and reading, Alcott students significantly outperformed their peers districtwide.
Regional superintendent Cliff Hayes Jr. has lauded the leadership of the school, noting its “culture of ‘we.’”¹ Alcott principal Eileen Stull is known for consensus building and collaboration, as well as her open-door policy for continued conversations about curriculum and instruction. Yet Stull is hesitant to take credit; she attributes the school’s success to students’ families and her staff. She says, “Honestly, I have the most fabulous teachers here.”² Parents appreciate the community atmosphere, saying that Stull seems to ...
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A VISION FOR GREAT SCHOOLS
On this website, educators, parents and policymakers from coast to coast are sharing what's already working in public schools--and sparking a national conversation about how to make it work for children in every school. Join the conversation!
