Organizing Schools For Improvement: Lessons From Chicago

In the wake of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) strike of 2012, a number of reforms were implemented in an effort to improve the district's schools. One of the most significant of these reforms was the creation of a new school governance model, known as the Network for School Improvement (NSI). The NSI is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources to schools in the CPS system, with a focus on improving student achievement.

The NSI is organized into 26 networks, each of which is responsible for a group of schools in a particular geographic area. Each network is led by a network chief, who is responsible for overseeing the network's operations and providing support to the schools within the network. The network chiefs are in turn overseen by the NSI's central office, which is led by a CEO.

Organizing Schools for Improvement: Lessons from Chicago

by Anthony S. Bryk

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The NSI provides a number of services to schools in the CPS system, including:

• Professional development: The NSI offers a variety of professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, including workshops, training programs, and coaching.
• Curriculum and instruction: The NSI provides schools with access to high-quality curriculum and instructional materials, as well as support in implementing effective instructional practices.
• School improvement planning: The NSI helps schools to develop and implement school improvement plans, which are designed to improve student achievement.
• Data analysis: The NSI provides schools with access to data analysis tools and resources, which can help schools to track student progress and identify areas for improvement.

The NSI has been praised for its work in improving student achievement in the CPS system. In a 2015 study, researchers found that schools that were part of the NSI showed significant gains in student achievement, compared to schools that were not part of the NSI.

The NSI is a model for school improvement that has been replicated in other cities across the country. In 2014, the NSI was awarded the Broad Prize for Urban Education, which is one of the most prestigious awards in education.

Lessons from Chicago

The NSI's success provides a number of lessons for other school districts that are looking to improve their schools. These lessons include:

• The importance of strong leadership: The NSI is led by a team of strong leaders, who are committed to improving student achievement. This leadership team has been able to create a culture of high expectations and accountability within the NSI.
• The importance of collaboration: The NSI is a collaborative organization, which brings together schools, teachers, administrators, and parents to work together to improve student achievement. This collaboration has been essential to the NSI's success.
• The importance of data: The NSI uses data to track student progress and identify areas for improvement. This data-driven approach has helped the NSI to make informed decisions about how to improve student achievement.

The NSI is a model for school improvement that has been replicated in other cities across the country. By following the lessons from Chicago, other school districts can improve their schools and provide all students with a high-quality education.

Organizing Schools for Improvement: Lessons from Chicago

by Anthony S. Bryk

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1024 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	335 pages

FREE