This chapter describes a model of assessment based on Action Research that promotes and relies on faculty engagement to improve student learning.

One key characteristic of high-performing schools is how they function organizationally, enabling them to enact reforms effectively and to deal with regular organizational ambiguity and chaos. The principal plays a pivotal role in developing a school culture that supports high-performing schools. This research studies the relationship between…

We build on previous scholarship calling for sustainable growth in technical and professional communication programs through "maintenance and reflection." Inspired by continuous improvement models used in industry, we offer GRAM--Gather--Read--Analyze--Make--a continuous improvement model designed to identify and align often overlooked…

This paper reports on final findings from phase 1 of a national program of 22 regional networks. This paper presents the overall period for nine networks with three measurements in time. The analysis in this paper draws on quantitative as well as qualitative data. The analysis of the qualitative data show that exchanges of knowledge between…

This book provides the busiest leaders with an accessible set of tools that can immediately be deployed to positively impact their school. Authors Ronald Williamson and Barbara R. Blackburn explore the COMPASS model--Culture; Ownership and Shared Vision; Managing Data; Professional Development; Advocacy; Shared Accountability; and Structures to…

The "CORE Districts" ("CORE") is a nonprofit organization created in 2010 to foster collaboration between eight of California's largest districts. In 2018-19, "CORE" provided a range of assistance to participating districts including programs to support multiple levels of district and school leaders' developing…

The education sector is embracing the hope that continuous improvement will lead to more beneficial student outcomes than standards-based reform and other approaches to policies and practice in prior decades. This report examines attempts in California to realize the potential of continuous improvement in some of the state's largest districts.…

Knowledge concerning the leadership work of primary mathematics leaders is rare. The object-motives of three mathematics leaders were explored using interviews and document retrieval as data sources. Using cultural-historical activity theory, five themes about the object-motives that the leaders pursued in their professional learning leadership…

The framework describes how to manage complex changes to practice and policy. Research-based initiatives should drive what happens in classrooms and schools. However, new education initiatives tend to fade away mid-year or that they have mixed results. Commonly the "what" -- the new program or initiative -- is where leaders solely put…

Existing distributed leadership (DL) theories tend to focus on distributing financial, material and human resources in order to enhance school performance. However, their impact appears controversial. Critical scholars assert that using DL to promote trust and democracy can be a self-fulfilling prophecy orchestrated by few formal leaders. When…

Lack of relevancy, administrative support, collegial support, and time are just a few of the many barriers that prevent practicing music teachers from accessing relevant professional development (PD) and taking steps to improve their practice. Quality music education PD should help teachers transform practice to improve student learning. Some…

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) offers states increased flexibility in how they identify, rank, label, and support underperforming schools. Initial reviews of state ESSA plans, however, suggest that identification and labeling policies have remained relatively unchanged. In this study, we analyze all state ESSA plans to systematically…

The participation of countries in various international large-scale assessments (ILSA) is motivated by different factors. In recent years however, there has been a growing popularity and importance placed on the results of ILSA. Recognising the significance of ILSA as a valuable source of feedback for enhancing the basic education system, the…

Though research on inclusive education in pre-primary in Tanzania exist, they have paid limited attention to the participation of parents and pre-primary teachers, in making their schools responsive to all the children's needs. This study, therefore, was undertaken to establish how such stakeholders proactively contribute to making pre-primary…

Much like an effective speaker, a flexible musician is competent across multiple settings. The sociolinguistic theory of code-switching can be a useful tool to better understand how musicians acquire a set of skills and knowledge to support music-making in a range of activities in and outside of school and throughout society. In this article,…