Leading Standards-Based Education Reform

Improving Implementation of Standards to Increase Student Achievement

By (author) Linda R. Vogel University of Northern Colorado

Publication date:

16 November 2010

Length of book:

160 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

Dimensions:

242x162mm
6x10"

ISBN-13: 9781607099819

Standards-based education (SBE) has been the dominant educational reform movement since the early 1980s, reinforced by federal and state accountability systems. This book examines the efforts of educational leaders in implementing SBE to improve student achievement in a variety of demographic contexts but with common challenges. Four stages of SBE implementation are identified that focus on strong district leadership of the articulation of how SBE can benefit students, an investment in collaborative structures and teacher training, and the facilitation of dialogue among all educational stakeholders. The descriptions of leadership actions and educator development at each stage can serve as a guide for educators and policy makers to assess which stage schools and districts are in and what steps can be taken to effectively move SBE reform efforts forward. The reflective questions for district, school, and teacher leaders at each stage can facilitate the dialogues that can ensure that SBE reform supports changes in classroom instruction that improve the learning opportunities and educational outcomes of all students.

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 I. Standards, Accountability, and Leadership
Chapter 3 II. The Communities and Contexts of Change
Chapter 4 III. Stage One: Initial Alignment-the Beginning of the Journey
Chapter 5 IV. Stage Two: Transitional Data-Digging Deeper with Data
Chapter 6 V. Stage Three: Transitional Assessment
Chapter 7 VI. Stage Four: Standards-led Education
Chapter 8 VII. Implications for Change

Dr. Vogel has explained what a standard based system should be and what it can evolve too. I have, as a school superintendent, for years tried to achieve to a new level of standards. Dr. Vogel articulated what that looks like. The case studies are so excellent that one can go out and easily identify those positive deviants that will promote evolutionary growth in understanding and delivery of a standard based approach that so strongly influences student growth and achievement. This book will be a leadinginstrument in leading school districts, schools and departments in their PLC studies and discussion on standards based systems. I have been waiting for someone who could put into words and help people comprehend the distinct stages and levels of standardsbased systems. Dr. Vogel has achieved that in her book! This book lays out exactly the reflective questions that need to be asked, and provides the frame work for development of a rubric to measure your school and district to reach an understanding of where they are in a working standards systems.