No abstract

Schmoker called into question the effectiveness of many of the major reform efforts of the past two decades. In particular he made the case that strategic planning efforts and whole-school reform efforts have been mostly ineffective because planning cycles are too long and implementation is too complex and cumbersome, leading to "fragmentation and overload." To solve these problems and to make schools work better for students, he recommended that small groups of teachers work collaboratively on relatively short-term goals. He wrote, "We must replace complex, long-term plans with simple plans that focus on actual teaching lessons and units created in true 'learning communities' that promote team-based, short-term thought and action." 1 As we read Schmoker's article, we nodded our heads in agreement; we had experienced exactly what he described and had arrived at similar conclusions. Over

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract