The "No Excuses" schools go back at least 15 years when two teachers decided they'd had enough of teaching in regular public schools and began Charter schools in the US that were eventually named No Excuses schools. There were two of them, one in New York, Harlem I believe and the other in Atlanta. These two went knocking on doors in the poorest neighbourhoods and began soliciting parents for their children to attend their new concept schools. The idea was, no excuses for not learning. They believed that every child could and would learn under the right circumstances. They also signed contracts with the parents to enlist their help. And learn they did. These charter schools eventually outperformed not just their neighbouring schools but also those in their states. There were and continue to be phenomenons. A whole list was comprised of these schools for individual states and some of them morphed into schools using different names. Such as KIPP, Knowledge is Power Programs. They got results, they got the job done. We hear little about them because they don't use the politically correct philosophies that are the current fads. They also use a lot of testing, something the unions are raging against - see Sooke teacher case.
Below I've copied some references that are amazing. If you really want to know what makes schools succeed, if you want to know how and who can do it, keep reading. I get crazy when I hear children being used as scapegoats for not succeeding. It's a cop out plain and simple. OK, that's enough from me. See for yourself. And if you want more information, just do a google search of No Excuses, or KIPP schools. You'll be amazed at what seems almost to be a conspiracy of silence.
Heather
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Samuel Casey Carter listed seven defining traits of a No Excuses school:
The principal is free from bureaucratic meddling.
The school sets measurable goals.
"Master" teachers assume leadership roles among the faculty. Regular testing leads to continuous achievement.
Student achievement helps maintain discipline.
The school sets up contracts with parents to "make the home the center of learning." Teachers and students work longer than the traditional school day.
The book:
http://www.amazon.com/No-Excuses-Lessons-High-Performing-High-Poverty/dp/0891950907
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http://www.nsdc.org/library/publications/results/res2-02rich.cfm
No excuses for low learning
School proves poverty, diversity aren't barriers to achievement
Analyzing student data to discover student deficits and strengths. Using that data to determine areas where teachers need to improve. Providing teachers with time to work together to write lessons and prepare classroom assessments. Using reading coaches to work elbow-to-elbow with classroom teachers, especially new teachers.
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http://edition.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/10/02/kipp.ways/index.html
KIPP schools, Knowledge is Power Program
Not your traditional public school
How does Jernigan account for the successes of his students?
"There is no magic bullet about education reform," said Jernigan. "Our philosophy is that it's about rolling up our sleeves and working a lot harder."
Any Atlanta Public School fourth-grader can apply for fifth-grade at KIPP WAYS. If there is a vacancy, the student will be admitted, regardless of grades or test scores. In general, students who apply in fourth-grade must commit to four years at the school. This year, KIPP WAYS has almost 90 students on its waiting list.
Like traditional public schools, KIPP schools are tuition-free, open to all students and free of any religious affiliation. KIPP teachers must meet their state's education standards and students must take all required state exams.
But unlike traditional public schools, KIPP schools are organized around a public charter, and so administered independently from their local school districts.
In exchange for this freedom, schools sign a "charter" or contract, usually with the local and state school boards, which defines the school's mission, programs, target student population and measurements of success.
A charter school remains open only as long as it continues to meet the terms of its charter. If it fails to do this, it can be closed by authorities.
The Schools We Need
