Twenty-five public schools in Georgia have been named No Excuses schools.
The No Excuses Schools that beat the odds include 21 elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school. Atlanta Public Schools dominates the list, with 10 elementary schools among the 25 No Excuses Schools. That includes the high-achieving Capitol View Elementary, where 98 percent of students met or exceeded standards in spite of a poverty rate of 89 percent.
Three guesses as to how No Excuses schools view standardized tests, and the first two don't count.
The No Excuses project has identified seven common traits in low-income schools that excel:Principals are free.
Principals use measurable goals to foster achievement.
Master teachers bring out the best in a faculty.
Rigorous and regular testing testing are used to improve student performance.
Achievement is the key to discipline.
Principals work with parents to make the home a center of learning.
Effort creates ability.
Emphasis mine. If you haven't read the report, "No Excuses: Lessons From 21 High-Performing, High-Poverty Schools," go do so. It's an easy read that will leave you with the realization that some educators actually get it. Go visit the Capitol View Elementary School webpage, too. The curriculum (such as this one for the third-grade year) looks delightful.
Posted by kswygert at March 30, 2005 10:57 AM