APPROACH

The Center focuses on school districts as the unit of change. This focus provides a unifying framework that incorporates the Center’s grantmaking and public policy-related activities with its leadership professional development programs, technical assistance and coaching.  Our theory of action is that if we help districts develop the capacity of their professionals as better instructional and organizational leaders; and if we assist districts in focusing on instruction and redesigning their systems with instruction at the core; then districts should be able to produce better student performance as measured on standardized tests and other performance measures.

In our work with school districts, we are guided by a core set of beliefs that provide a framework for the services we offer to create change.

• We believe all schools can be improved by building common purpose across the district.
• We help districts improve student performance by focusing on instructional practice.
• We create lasting benefit by developing leadership qualities in people at all levels who can leverage their skills to create and sustain district gains.
• We help districts enhance communication -- internally within the school system and externally by engaging the community.
• In the face of increasing budget constraints, our focus on improving performance most efficiently is more important than ever.
• We develop successful models that can be applied to districts throughout the state.
• By publishing lessons learned and advocating for proven best practices, the Center is recognized as a resource for comprehensive educational reform.