The School Imiprovement Planning Handbook ─ Getting Focused for Turnaround and Transition

Developing and updating school improvement plans is an annual ritual for virtually all school principals and their school improvement committees. Still, large numbers of schools continue to produce disappointing outcomes. The authors believe that part of the problem is the result of plans that focus on the wrong targets and that rely on ineffective strategies for improvement. To help principals and their school improvement committees develop and implement plans with a greater likelihood of success, the authors offer a step-by-step process for school improvement planning. They go on to pinpoint specific school improvement goals, including raising reading and mathematics achievement, building robust school cultures, addressing the needs of English language learners, improving instruction, and reducing absenteeism and dropouts. For each goal, a variety of objectives and proven strategies is presented along with sample school improvement plans. The book addresses the differences in planning to turn around a low-performing school, planning to sustain improvements over time, and planning to move a good school to a great school.

Daniel L. Duke is professor of educational leadership at the University of Virginia and one of the developers of its path-breaking School Turnaround Leadership Program. He has written over 30 books on subjects related to school improvement, educational change, and instructional leadership.

Marsha Carr is a former district superintendent; she serves as assistant professor and coordinator of the Master of School Administration program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

William Sterrett is a former Title I elementary school principal; he is an assistant professor and program coordinator of Curriculum, Instruction, and Supervision at UNCW.