Transformation or Decline?: Using Tough Times to Create Higher-Performing Schools

Abstract

Seven key strategies can be the difference between hunkering down while the fiscal storm rages on and facing a bright new day stronger than before. By Karen Hawley Miles V93 N2 kappanmagazine.org 43 in improvement. Or, they can take this opportunity to define their vision for the 21st century, tackle antiquated cost structures, and build more effective education systems. 7 RESTRUCTURING PRIORITIES Education Resource Strategies (ERS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping urban school systems organize talent, time, technology, and money to create successful schools at scale. Through this work, we have created a framework that describes seven priorities for restructuring resources. These represent the largest opportunities to free unproductive resources and at the same time move toward higher-performing designs for schools and systems. 7 STRATEGIES FOR RESTRUCTURING 1. Restructure one-size-fits-all teacher compensation and job structure to foster individual and team effectiveness and professional growth. 2. Rethink the standardized class-size model to target individual attention. 3. Optimize existing time to meet student and teacher needs and extend where needed. 4. Redirect special education spending to early intervention and targeted individual attention for all students. 5. Maximize use of buildings and land. 6. Invest to support and develop leadership. 7. Leverage outside partners and technology to maintain or improve quality at lower cost.

Women’s Participation in Higher Education in India: An Analysis Across Major States

“…It can be said that higher PTR, reduces relative access of students to teachers. Various studies (Blatchford, 2003;Miles, 2011) have reported that smaller class size positively influences the academic achievements of students. In this study, it is assumed that low PTR may improve the quality of higher education, which may encourage the parents to send their daughters for higher education.…”