Second Edition June 2007 - ERIC

Dr. Terry Bergeson State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Second Edition June 2007

First edition: January 2003

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Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Old Capitol Building P.O. Box 47200

Olympia, WA 98504-7200 For more information about the contents

of this document, please contact: Sue Shannon, Ed.D.

E-mail: sue.shannon@k12.wa.us Phone: 360.725.6317

To order more copies of this document, please call 1-888-59-LEARN (I-888-595-3276) or visit our Web site at Please refer to the document number below for quicker service:

07-0015 This document is available online at: This material is available in alternative format upon request. Contact the Resource Center at (888) 595-3276, TTY (360) 664-3631. Copyright ? 2007 by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Olympia, Washington. The contents of this document may be reproduced and distributed for educational purposes without permission. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or marital status. NINE CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-PERFORMING SCHOOLS

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Nine Characteristics of High-Performing Schools

Prepared by G. Sue Shannon, Senior Researcher Pete Bylsma, former Director, Research, Assessment, Accountability

Assessment and Student Information

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

June 2007

Dr. Terry Bergeson Superintendent of Public Instruction

Dr. Cathy Davidson Chief of Staff

NINE CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-PERFORMING SCHOOLS

iv Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by the following people in reviewing earlier drafts of this document and/or providing pertinent information and sources: Chris Barron, Dan Barkley, Kathy Bartlett, Joe Belmonte, Deborah Davis, Sheri Dunster, Cathy Fromme, Deborah Gonzales, Andy Griffin, Debbi Hardy, Janet Hayakawa, Mickey Lahmann, Greg Lobdell, Bill Mason, Shirley McCune, Andrea Meld, Tonya Middling, Robin Munson, Chuck Namit, Janell Newman, PhuongChi Nguyen, Adie Simmons, and school improvement facilitators. In addition we thank Nathan Olson for assistance with design and production.

Suggested Citation

Shannon, G.S. & Bylsma, P. (2007). The Nine Characteristics of High-Performing Schools: A research-based resource for schools and districts to assist with improving student learning. (2nd Ed.). Olympia, WA: OSPI.

NINE CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-PERFORMING SCHOOLS

Table of Contents

Executive summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Nine characteristics of high-performing schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Selected resources as starting points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Expanded definitions, explanations and implementation suggestions

1. Clear and shared focus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 2. High standards and expectations for all students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 3. Effective school leadership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 4. High levels of collaboration and communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 5. Curriculum, instruction and assessments aligned

with state standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 6. Frequent monitoring of learning and teaching. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 7. Focused professional development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 8. Supportive learning environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 9. High level of family and community involvement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Summary and conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Appendix A Bibliography of research sources for nine characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . 129 Research base summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Appendix B Perception surveys of school characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Perception survey templates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

NINE CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-PERFORMING SCHOOLS

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