Excellence, Equity, and Efficiency How

This book presents a Quality School Improvement (QSI) framework for overcoming the conflict that exists between excellence, equity, and efficiency and provides recommendations for principals and policymakers to meet the demands for accountability and continuous improvement based upon that framework.

Robert Hess is principal of Pioneer School in Lebanon, Oregon.

Introduction

vii

Values That Drive Change: The Triangle of Tension

1

(16)

Tension Generators: Excellence, Equity, and Efficiency

2

(13)

The Triangle of Tension

2

(2)

The Tension Between Excellence and Equity

4

(3)

The Tension Between Efficiency and Equity

7

(4)

The Tension Between Efficiency and Excellence

11

(2)

How the Triangle of Tension Functions

13

(2)

Conclusion

15

(2)

Discussion Points

15

(2)

The Pursuit of Excellence

17

(8)

Historical Excellence

17

(4)

Demonstrations of Excellence

21

(2)

Conclusion

23

(2)

Discussion Points

23

(2)

The Promise of Equity

25

(10)

Historical Equity

25

(2)

The Pressure of Equity

27

(4)

Equal Opportunity through the Meeting of Needs

31

(2)

Conclusion

33

(2)

Discussion Points

33

(2)

The Power of Efficiency

35

(8)

Efficiency Defined

35

(3)

Education Costs Over Time

36

(1)

The Effect of Increased Spending on Achievement

37

(1)

How Districts Spend Their Money

38

(1)

How Principals View Efficiency

38

(1)

Strategies for Improving Financial Efficiency

39

(1)

Conclusion

40

(3)

Discussion Points

41

(2)

Surviving the Triangle of Tension

43

(16)

A Culture of Accountability

43

(5)

The Birth of Standardized Testing

45

(1)

The Importance of Accountability

46

(2)

How Principals Successfully Navigate the Triangle

48

(8)

Excellence: Standards-Based Instruction

48

(1)

Innovations Related to Excellence

49

(1)

Providing Equity

50

(1)

Equal Treatment

51

(1)

Equal Opportunity to Achieve Success

51

(2)

Efficiency: Positive Effects

53

(2)

Increased Support Through Efficiency

55

(1)

Conclusion

56

(3)

Discussion Points

57

(2)

Quality School Improvement Framework

59

(12)

Renewal, Reform, and Restructuring

60

(1)

True Equity

60

(2)

Quality School Improvement

62

(1)

Managing the Triangle of Tension

63

(2)

Analyzing Quality According to the School-Improvement Framework

65

(3)

Quality of Product

66

(1)

Quality of Experience

67

(1)

Restructuring to Quality

68

(1)

Breakthrough Schools

69

(2)

Discussion Points

70

(1)

Priority Leadership: How Lebanon Schools Manage the Triangle of Tension

71

(12)

Generating Tension in Lebanon

72

(8)

Priority 1---The Student Achievement System (SAS): A Quest for Equity

72

(2)

Efficiency Takes Its Toll: No New Money

74

(1)

Meeting Student Needs Becomes the Focus: A Reflection of Equity

74

(1)

Lebanon's Continuous Progress Model of Instruction

75

(1)

Breakthrough Results

76

(2)

Priority 2---Signature Schools: A Quest for Excellence

78

(1)

Priority 3---Effective Instruction: Professional Growth and Accountability (PGA) System

79

(1)

Conclusion

80

(3)

Discussion Points

81

(2)

Applying the QSI in the School Setting

83

(16)

Pioneer School---My Story

84

(12)

Puzzle Building

84

(2)

Bottom Border: Relationships

86

(1)

Instruction: Time and How You Use It

87

(2)

Pushing the Borders of Time

89

(1)

After-School Program

90

(1)

Summer School

91

(1)

Intersession Calendar

91

(1)

More Pieces to Puzzle

92

(4)

Conclusion

96

(3)

Discussion Points

96

(3)

Principals: Recommendations for Restructuring

99

(16)

Invest in Quality Teachers

100

(1)

Stress Client Service Throughout the School

100

(1)

Provide Priority Leadership: Determine a Vision, Build It, and Communicate It Effectively

101

(1)

Build Leadership Capacity and Teaming

102

(2)

Emphasize Continuous Improvement in All Areas by Focusing on Data-Driven Results

104

(2)

Move Away from ``Boss Management'' to ``Lead Management''

106

(1)

Work with the Central Office

107

(1)

Build a Sense of Community and Create Smallness

108

(1)

Build and Use Networks

109

(1)

Use Tension Generated from External Demands as Impetus for Growth

110

(1)

Instill Hope and Make It Fun

111

(2)

Conclusion

113

(2)

Discussion Points

113

(2)

Recommendations for Policymakers

115

(18)

Continue to Support the Development of External Standards

116

(1)

Adopt Teacher Evaluation Systems That Reinforce Quality Instruction

117

(2)

Develop Meaningful Individual and Collective Incentives for Students and Schools That Reward Innovation and Risk Taking

119

(1)

Keep Informed About the Needs and Wants of School Leaders, Teachers, Parents, and Students

120

(2)

Develop Effective Statewide Assessment Tools

122

(2)

Increase Receptivity to Change Through Statewide Communication Forums

124

(3)

Be Committed to the Restructuring of Public Education

127

(3)

Conclusion

130

(3)

Equity: Meeting Student Needs

131

(1)

Excellence: Achievement (Learning) Relative to Potential

131

(1)

Efficiency: Maximizing the Use of Time, Money, Staff, and Resources to Meet Student Needs

132

(1)

Discussion Points

132

(1)

Glossary of Terms

133

(4)

References

137

(10)

Index

147

(2)

About the Author

149

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Excellence, Equity, and Efficiency How Principals and Policymakers Can Survive the Triangle of Tension

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

FREE SHIPPING

Rent More, Save More! Use code: BBRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Excellence, Equity, and Efficiency How Principals and Policymakers Can Survive the Triangle of Tension

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Digital License