Small town success stories
Resources
- WI: Working together for pre-school success
The School District of La Crosse, Wisconsin believes that well-prepared four-year-olds make the best kindergarten students. For the last ten years, they've put time and effort into getting all four-year-olds access to pre-school programs. And they've seen results.
- NJ: Small academies help students make the grade
Summary: This high school transitioned from a traditional high school to one that houses smaller learning communities called academies that are modeled after the Talent Development High School. Along with three specific career academies the school included a special ninth grade academy. As a result student achievement, attendance, and parental involvement have all increased.
- AZ: A no-excuses approach to school improvement
Summary: Amazing things can happen when a school becomes a professional learning community. This district, with ninety percent of its students receiving free or reduced lunch, has made great strides in closing the achievement gap. The data bears this out with students scoring above state averages in reading and math on Arizona's standardized test. Although many educators have concerns about placing too much emphasis on standardized test results, this district uses them to make decisions about curriculum and instruction that is based on solid data and provides teachers with a basis for focused interventions.
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