SRN LEADS/Stanford University: School Redesign Network — 
Newsletters
Contents December/January, 2006-2007
Darling-Hammond named among top ten most influential in past decade
SRN Co-executive Director and Stanford University Education Professor Linda Darling-Hammond, has been identified as one of the 10 most influential people in the field of education over the last decade in a study conducted by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, a program of Education Week. Darling-Hammond holds the number 10 spot (shared with Margaret Spellings) and is the only full-time academic listed.
The study, which was published December 13, asked education-policy experts to identify and rate "Influentials" across four different categories -- Studies, Organizations, People, and Information Sources. Topping the list in the People category are Bill Gates and the current President George W. Bush.
Darling-Hammond's work as Executive Director of the National Commission for Teaching and America's Future (NCTAF) was also recognized in the Studies category. The 1996 NCTAF report, "What Matters Most: Teaching for America's Future," was ranked number 7 in that category. View an executive summary and the full report. http://www.edweek.org/rc/articles/2006/12/13/influentials.html
SRN posts new report on Washington Assessment of Student Learning test
The recently released SRN report, "Analysis and Recommendations for Alternatives to the Washington Assessment of Student Learning," examines the pros and cons of different approaches to alternative assessments in light of Washington state's current assessment policy and context, the lessons that have emerged from other states, and the research on different forms of assessment. The report examine the three measures recently proposed by the Washington legislature in Senate Bill 6475 as alternatives for students who have failed the 10th grade WASL twice. Download document. (PDF file) http://schoolredesign.net/srn/binaries/wasl_report.pdf
New report details major redesign effort in Austin
In 2004, SRN and the Austin Independent School District (AISD) joined together to redesign the district's 11 comprehensive high schools. The report, Austin Independent School District and the School Redesign Network at Stanford University: A Partnership for Successful School Redesign, describes the intensive yearlong process to develop and implement a successful redesign process in the 80,000-student district. Download the report (PDF file).
Watch Kevin Johnson Leadership Lecture online
Kevin Johnson, founder of the Sacramento-based community service organization St. HOPE and a three-time NBA All-Star, spoke to a full house on Thursday, November 9 at Stanford University. His talk, titled, "The St. HOPE Story: Transforming an Urban Community through Education," focused on St. HOPE's work to provide excellent education and community improvements in the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento where Johnson grew up. Nearly 30 students came to Stanford with Johnson to tour the campus and speak with Admissions staff. The students attend Sacramento High School, which houses five small schools operated by St. HOPE. The full lecture can be viewed online.
Papers on effective principal preparation available online
The Stanford Educational Leadership Institute, an SRN partner, is sponsoring the School Leadership Study. This study, funded through the Wallace Foundation, is examining exemplary programs and identifying features and policies that foster exceptional programs. Papers produced in conjunction with the study are available to view. http://seli.stanford.edu/research/sls.htm
Recent Articles
Effective policy and practice in education
America's schools are among the most unequal in the industrialized world, according to a recently published article by SRN Co-executive Director Linda Darling-Hammond. The article, "Securing the Right to Learn: Policy and Practice for Powerful Teaching and Learning," appeared in the October issue of Educational Researcher. In it, Darling-Hammond describes the kind of preparation and policy system needed to create an educational system that is effective for all students. http://schoolredesign.net/srn/news_articles.php
Developing effective principals
"Effective Schools Require Effective Principals" is the title of an article that appeared in the recent issue of ASCA's Leadership Magazine by School Leadership Study Research Director Michelle LaPointe and Stanford University Associate Professor of Education Stephen Davis. The article discusses the qualities and impact of strong professional development programs for principals. http://seli.stanford.edu/research/documents/acsa_9-06.pdf
In the News
One of the high schools featured in SRN's Windows on Conversions study kit recently made the news when Washington Governor Chris Gregoire chose the school as a site to announce her new education agenda. According to an article in the The News Tribune (Tacoma), the Governor chose Clover Park High School in Lakewood, WA, because, she said, "you've got some good things going on at this school." Among the school features Gregoire praised were an emphasis on teacher training and small schools within the school. Clover Park converted from a single, comprehensive high school serving approximately 1,500 students into four small schools that serve between 350 and 375 students each. The story of that conversion is featured in SRN's Windows on Conversions study kit, which examines the redesign of four schools from across the country.
Read the December 11 article http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/updates/story/6276769p-5476046c.html.
Read the December 12 article http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/education/story/6278159p-5477097c.html.
The School Leadership Study was recently in the news as well. The Carnegie Reporter reported on the study in an article titled, "The School Leadership Crisis: Have School Principals Been Left Behind?" Read the story.
effective policy and practice in education
Americas schools are among the most unequal in the industrialized world, according to a recently published article by SRN LEADS Co-executive Director Linda Darling-Hammond. The article, "Securing the Right to Learn: Policy and Practice for Powerful Teaching and Learning," appeared in the October issue of Educational Researcher. In it, Darling-Hammond describes the kind of preparation and policy system needed to create an educational system that is effective for all students. Read more.
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