The process of turning a struggling school into one with strong achievement is no easy, overnight task. So, when CPS launched its Elementary Initiative, Ready for High School, it was important for the principals of its 16 targeted schools to develop a series of "quick wins" to keep students and staff motivated toward the task at hand — consistently strong academic performance for every child in every classroom.
The "quick wins" strategy is a key ingredient of the University of Virginia's School Turnaround Specialist Program, which all the Elementary Initiative principals attended. The two-year program has five core essentials:
"The goal of the training is a different mindset," said Shauna Murphy, principal of Woodward Career Technical High School and one of the turnaround coaches assigned to assist Elementary Initiative principals in getting the job done. "We went there looking for them to outline a series of steps for us to take. Instead, we were taught to think and problem-solve, on our own, based on each school's unique needs and characteristics. The 'quick-wins' element helps keep the momentum going."
"Our 3rd-grade reading Benchmark 1 scores increased by 9 percent over last year," says Yzvetta Macon, principal of South Avondale School. "We got here because of consistent, rigorous instruction. Our teacher teams created a 45-minute intervention bell to work with struggling students. And, we recruited tutors to work, one-on-one, with our students for 30 minutes each day."
Other principals are seeing similar trends in early data. Rockdale Academy and Pleasant Ridge Montessori School also saw 5- to 10-percent increases in Benchmark 1 scores. And they credit these gains to the overall culture shift they're seeing among students, parents and staff.
"Parental involvement has increased by 15 percent at our school," says Vicki Graves-Hill, principal of Roll Hill Academy. "And we've gotten 100 percent buy-in from our teachers and staff. Everybody is on the same page and moving, together, toward the same goal."
"We concentrated on recognizing our students and staff for the steps they were taking in the right direction," says Craig Hockenberry, principal of Oyler School. "So far, we've held two assemblies for each grade level that highlight both parents and students for successes in the classroom. We also have dedicated considerable time at each staff meeting to recognize staff members who have made significant gains on Benchmarks and progress with the Elementary Initiative."
Every "quick win" serves as evidence to students and staff that long-struggling schools can, and do, change for the better.
"The Turnaround Specialist Training reminds us that our schools aren't failing," says Murphy. "Instead, they are 'turning around.' It's just a matter of time before we get the proof we're looking for on the Ohio Report Card."