The RPM-PX Take on a Report Exploring Practices in Successful "Turnaround" Schools

There is no single solution to improving persistently low-performing schools; instead improvement takes a variety of supports and strategies and will work differently in the unique circumstances of individual schools.

The RPM Take on a Report Evaluating the Comprehensive School Reform Program

A report evaluating the implementation and outcomes of the federal Comprehensive School Reform program (CSR) from 2002 to 2008 finds that most schools receiving CSR funds did not implement all the program requirements, nor did they make more achievement growth than comparison schools. Although it would seem that extra financial support did not produce desired outcomes, a closer read of the report finds that most schools faced a number impediments to implementation and that addressing these impediments might go a long way toward helping high-poverty low-performing schools achieve at higher levels.

Stopping Bullying: Effective Approaches

High-profile cases of school bullying have made their way into the media recently. What have we learned about what reduces child and adolescent bullying and why does it matter? A new paper looks at the research…

Indian Education Policies in Five States

American Indian and Native Alaskan students make up a significant proportion of total students in some states and in those states they tend to be disproportionately enrolled in schools located in rural areas. Federal and state responses to the educational needs of Indian students have historically ranged from the disastrous to the indifferent or ineffective. Largely in response to efforts of Indian communities and activists some states have begun to enact policies and implement approaches that are more positively geared to Indian students.

A recent report from the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory identified 13 Indian education policies in five northwest region states. These policies provide some insight into ways schools and districts can do a better of job of teaching American Indian students and a better job of teaching non-Native students about American Indian history, culture, and language.

Some Surprising Aspects of Successful Turnaround Schools

A relatively few schools in the U.S. that have been identified for “re-structuring” under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) have made significant enough improvements to exit the designation. A report from the Center on Innovation and Improvement looks at five schools that were successful and explores some of the changes those schools made. Although the report focuses on standard turnaround approaches, many of which are prescribed in NCLB, a closer read reveals that most of the schools also made important structural changes, changes that many schools would find beneficial to maintaining, improving, and sustaining student achievement and teacher satisfaction…

Teaching Performance Assessments: A Discussion of Review of Teaching Performance Assessments for Use in Human Capital Management

Helping Students Prepare for College

Increasing college-going rates, especially among low-income and first-generation students, is widely cited as necessary for improving life prospects of young people and building the nation’s economic future. A September report from the Institute of Education Sciences reviews the research and makes recommendations on how schools can help more students prepare for and enter college. We summarize those recommendations and note adaptations needed for rural schools, especially those that are isolated and/or high-poverty….

Achievement Gap Study Offers More Data for Understanding How Schools and Policymakers Can Respond

The Achievement Gap: Further Exploration of Factors That Undermine Achievement

RSIN Webinar: Why Rural Matters 2009

The October 28, 2009 Rural School and Community Trust webinar, Why Rural Matters 2009, built on our June 2009 preview and highlighted results of the 2009 report, presenting all-new data essential for rural schools.

Understanding and Addressing the Achievement Gap

Rural Students Less Likely to Aspire to or Attend College

Teacher and Administrator Knowledge and Attitudes about the Dropout Problem

Helping Middle Grade Students Stay — Or Get — On Track for Graduation

RSIN Webinar: "Why Rural Matters 2009," June 3, 2009

Why Rural Matters 2009 was the theme of the June 2009 Rural School Innovation Network webinar. The conference call and slide presentation featured a preview of Why Rural Matters 2009, to be released in Fall 2009.