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The Complexities of School Reform: Case of the Anchor River School District

Explore the challenges and potential solutions in the Anchor River School District's reform efforts. This model-based approach helps understand the system, find effective policies, evaluate alternatives, and improve thinking about change.

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The Complexities of School Reform: Case of the Anchor River School District

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  1. The Complexities of School Reform: Case of the Anchor River School District Gary B. Hirsch Creator of Learning Environments Wayland, Ma. 01778 GBHirsch@comcast.net

  2. Why Use Models? • Goal is not forecasting…there are too many things beyond our control! • Instead, models help us • Understand Systems • Find Leverage Points on Which to Base Effective Policies • Evaluate Alternatives • Find Combinations of Programs That Work Well Together • Improve Our Thinking and Talking About Change

  3. A Model is... • A less-than-perfect representation of reality • But good enough to represent a shared understanding of a complex system • It should include key elements and relationships in just enough detail • And not become an end in itself

  4. Anchor River School District--Introduction • Suburban district with • 2500 students • 250 staff • $12.5 Million budget • Stable history, but mandated statewide testing has been implemented • Vouchers have been proposed to make education more “competitive”

  5. The Model--Ongoing Operations

  6. Overview of Model of Innovation and School Performance

  7. More Detailed Look at Determinants of Student Performance

  8. Stable Outcome Without School Reform

  9. Results of Imposing Stringent Standards and High-Stakes Testing

  10. Reinforcing Loops That Exacerbate Problems Caused by External Standards

  11. Effect on Enrollment of Alternative Schools (Vouchers)

  12. Effect on Performance of Alternative Schools

  13. Reinforcing Loop Through Alternative Schools

  14. Strategies/Scenarios to Try--One at a Time and in Combination • Add or eliminate traditional curriculum • Do more professional development for teachers • Devote a higher (or lower) fraction of staff effort to remedial help • Implement new curriculum • Change mode of student evaluation, structural flexibility • Assume higher initial budget or level of trust • Examine effects of instituting a voucher system

  15. Reinforcing Loops Affecting Curriculum Innovation

  16. Curriculum Innovation--Making Things Worse

  17. Results with Curriculum Innovation and Modest Cutback in Traditional Curriculum

  18. Shifting the Burden Archetype

  19. Shifting the Burden--Response to High Stakes Testing

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