Subpopulation: African American/Black

This report details the methods used in NYKids’ latest study “NYKids’ 20th Anniversary Study of Emergent and Persistent Positive Outlier Schools: What Accounts for Better Student Outcomes Over Time?” The report includes an overview to the study, sampling rationale, research literature, theoretical framework and research questions as well as the methods used for recruitment, data collection and analysis. Interview and focus group protocols are attached as appendices to the report.

In our latest study, Promising Practices from Persistent and Emergent Positive Outlier Schools, we returned to schools identified as positive outliers in prior NYKids studies as well as typically-performing yet who have risen to positive outlier status. The study seeks to understand what accounts for these schools’ comparatively better outcomes for culturally, linguistically, and socio-economically diverse youth. Our third case study of these schools is Malverne Senior High School, identified as a positive outlier in our 2018 College and Career Readiness study.

This report details the lessons learned through the Research-Practice Partnership between NYKids, Tech Valley High School (TVHS), Chatham Central School District (CSD), and the American Institutes for Research (AIR). The report, co-written by members of the collaborative, reflects on positive outcomes from the RPP, challenges team members faced, and future goals for improvement.

This presentation, entitled “Advancing Educational Equity Research, Policy, and Practice,” was delivered by NYKids Director Kristen C. Wilcox and longtime collaborator Hal A. Lawson at the Educational Leaders without Borders conference held in Athens, Greece in April, 2023. The presentation discusses the importance of equity-focused research and recounts over two decades of NYKids scholarship.

NYKids Assistant Director Aaron Leo and Director Kristen C. Wilcox attended participated in a roundtable at the 2023 AERA Annual Conference held in April, 2023. The presentation was titled “Family Engagement during the Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities” and drew on data from NYKids’ latest study of pandemic-related adaptations among six schools throughout New York State.

NYKids team members Kristen C. Wilcox, Maria I. Khan, and Jessie Tobin presented this poster at the 2023 Carnegie Summit held in San Diego. The poster, titled “Addressing Differential Impacts of COVID via a National Research-Practice Partnership Network” outlines research improvement work NYKids has connected as part of a collaboration with Tech Valley High School, Chatham City School District, and American Institutes for Research.

This research brief outlines the major findings from NYKids’ latest study on the effects of the pandemic on the educator workforce. The full report, “Opportunities and Challenges to Adapt and Innovate: How Educators Confronted the COVID-19 Pandemic,” was published in December, 2022 and is available on our website. The brief succinctly describes the four drivers for adaptation and innovation found in positive outlier schools that participated in the study: Empowerment and Collective Responsibility; Responsiveness and Flexible Problem Solving ; A Relationship- and Connection-Centered Orientation; and Adaptive and Innovative Systems.

In this presentation, Maria I. Khan and Kristen C. Wilcox discuss findings from an research conducted at an urban, diverse elementary school with high rates of poverty. The presentation “Remote Schooling during the COVID-10 Pandemic: A Case Study of Impacts on Children in a High Poverty, High Diversity School” was presented at the Comparative and International Education Society’s Annual Conference.

NYKids’ latest report, “Opportunities and Challenges to Adapt and Innovate: How Educators Confronted the COVID-19 Pandemic,” features data gathered among 88 educators from 6 schools across New York State. The study offers important findings related to adaptation and innovation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and provides insight into the challenges faced by school districts as well as the promising adaptations and innovations such crises prompt.

This Engaged Researchers Meeting discussed findings from an ongoing study conducted by researchers in the School of Public Health, Public Administration and Policy, and the School of Education. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of remote schooling on the occurrence of adverse childhood events among children in New York State. Researchers also seek to uncover the experiences of caregivers and educators during the pandemic and develop community-informed recommendations to develop trauma informed interventions in schools.

This presentation given at the 2021 AERA Conference discusses how district and school leaders in positive outlier schools frame priorities and challenges they face.

This cross-case report is the second phase of our College and Career Readiness study. This report, entitled, Students’ Perspectives on Life After High School focuses on students’ voices from two of the positive outlier schools that participated in the first phase of this study. These two schools, Malverne Senior High School and Crown Point Central School, qualify as positive outliers because they are “atypical” in the sense that they have achieved a trend of above-predicted graduation rates among different populations of students consistently over time.

This report details the methods utilized in NYKids recent follow-up to the College and Career Readiness study of 2018. In this study, we return to two of the original seven positive-outlier high schools to conduct interviews with students about their experiences and perspectives. The report here details the sampling procedures, data collection and analysis, and includes the instruments used for this study.

This case study is one of two reports which build from our Phase I research into College and Career Readiness. For this study, we returned to odds-beating Malverne High School to conduct interviews and focus groups with students about their experiences in school and plans for after graduation.

In this video interview conducted by NYKids Director, Dr. Kristen Wilcox, and NYKids Post-Doctorate Fellow, Dr. Aaron Leo; Dr. Vincent Romano, Principal at Malverne Senior High School, a positive outlier school in Malverne, NY, shares insight into the ways his school and district have built upon existing instructional and education technology plans to develop remote learning strategies in response to COVID-19 school closures. The discussion explores current goals, challenges, and successes related to the quick switch to remote learning on topics such as: developing, implementing, and supporting online synchronous teaching and learning; adapting to new approaches for using technology in instruction; the importance of communication and connective support for students, families, and teachers; considerations for educational equity and social-emotional learning; and future strategic planning and preparation for ongoing considerations related to remote teaching and learning.

In an accompanying video (available at: https://ny-kids.org/nykids-carnegie-summit-2020-virtual-poster-presentation-2/), Dr. Kristen Wilcox, NYKids Director of Research and Development, shares this NYKids presentation for a 2020 Carnegie Virtual Summit invited poster session, “Catalysts for Improving Diverse Student High School Graduation Rates in Positive Outlier Schools”. The presentation was shared during the 2020 Carnegie Virtual Summit on April 1 – 3, 2020 as part of an asynchronous poster session under the strand, “Improving Capacity”.

This presentation explores the relationship between teacher and student agency at odds-beating secondary schools. We find that teachers, when offered opportunities to act as agents, tend to offer similar opportunities to their students similarly. This research further suggests that affordances for teachers to assert agency can mitigate the constraining effects of state accountability system compliance-oriented practices.

In 2017-18, research teams investigated 10 high schools regarding the preparation of critical needs students for college and career. Three of these schools were typically-performing (with graduation rates as predicted for the student population served) and the remainder were odds-beating schools (with graduation rates above predicted for the student population served). The cross-case report featured in this presentation describes the four themes observed across all odds-beating secondary schools as illustrated through four case studies.

Involvement of families in their children’s education has been linked to numerous positive indicators such as homework completion, student motivation, and academic achievement. However, many schools conceive of involvement in narrow, individualistic terms and struggle to families in meaningful ways which are culturally-relevant, community-derived, and sensitive to power imbalances. Drawing on in-depth case studies from seven odds-beating schools, this paper provides examples of authentic family engagement which foster empowerment and utilize community resources to build trust between schools and families. The findings presented here provide a partial template for schools seeking to improve relationships with parents.

High schools that effectively serve culturally and ethnically diverse students are a national priority. This mixed methods case study examines the design and practices of high schools called “odds-beaters” because they have above-average graduation rates for ethnically, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse students. Sample high schools are characterized in part by educators’ incorporation of positive youth development (PYD) priorities. Expressed in the ways educators talk, PYD practices are a school improvement resource, facilitating students’ engagement, agency, and identity development.

In 2017-18, research teams investigated 10 high schools regarding the preparation of critical needs students for college and career. Three of these schools were typically-performing (with graduation rates as predicted for the student population served) and the remainder were odds-beating schools (with graduation rates above predicted for the student population served). This cross-case report describes the four themes observed across all odds-beating secondary schools.

In 2017-18, research teams investigated 10 high schools regarding the preparation of critical needs students for college and career. Three of these schools were typically performing (with graduation rates as predicted for the student population served) and the remainder were odds-beating schools (with graduation rates above-predicted for the student population served). This reports describes the methods and procedures for the study.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. In 2017-18, research teams investigated 10 high schools regarding the preparation of critical needs students for college and career. Three of these schools were typically-performing (with graduation rates as predicted for the student population served) and the remainder were odds-beating schools (with graduation rates above-predicted for the student population served).

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. In 2017-18, research teams investigated 10 high schools regarding the preparation of critical needs students for college and career. Three of these schools were typically-performing (with graduation rates as predicted for the student population served) and the remainder were odds-beating schools (with graduation rates above-predicted for the student population served).

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. In 2017-18, research teams investigated 10 high schools regarding the preparation of critical needs students for college and career. Three of these schools were typically-performing (with graduation rates as predicted for the student population served) and the remainder were odds-beating schools (with graduation rates above-predicted for the student population served).

2010 Lessons from Higher-Performing Middle Schools - Putting Research Findings into School Improvement Practice

School improvement practices for middle schools. The presentation offers best practice research findings – where they came from and how the research was conducted. Additionally, it provides other free resources to inform continuous school improvement efforts in the future.

2008 Middle School and High School Results

School improvement practices for middle and high schools. Trusting and respectful relationships found to be key as well as social/emotional wellbeing, team work, evidence-based decision making, and shared vision of mission and goals.

2008 Capacity Building In Higher-Performing Middle Schools

School improvement practices for middle schools. Findings include: (1) culture supports a vision of high achievement; (2) climate of respect helps enact vision; (3) structure reinforce collaboratively supported; and (4) leadership encourages teacher initiative taking.

Motivated by the mission as catalysts, conveners, community developers and capacity builders, CASDA faculty have collaborated with researchers and faculty at the University at Albany’s School of Education on two successful programs designed to share research and encourage sharing evidence-based practices. The NYKids Project in the School of Education and the Teacher Leadership Quality Partnership Grant Program represent eight years of direct work with school teams using research and best practices for school teams to ensure continuous school improvement.

The goals of the COMPASS (Compare, Assess priorities, Select levers for improvement, Set SMART goals and develop action plans) is to engage school teams, led by the principal. In reflective, collaborative inquiry that looks holistically at how to impact student performance.

The recent reauthorization of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Action, known as ESSA – Every Student Succeeds Act – acknowledges that past attempts (e.g. Race to the Top) by government to tell educators how to improve their schools have fallen short. Studies suggest that’s not surprising. While we commend the attention and efforts the federal government has shown for the nation’s school performance, we applaud the shift to localized, statewide accountability. A great deal of research, including our own, has found that what works in improving performance in schools is allowing educators to use evidence to guide locally determined, continuous improvement efforts that take into account every child’s well-being.

This presentation describes the COMPASS process: (1) COMPare practices to higher performers; (2) Assess priorities; (3) Select potential levers to improve; (4) Set SMART goals. And then AIM process: (1) Action planning; (2) Implementation; and (3) Monitoring progress.

This presentation presents findings that in high schools with higher than expected graduation rates, educators are looking beyond graduation to students’ post-secondary needs, and meeting those needs with clear goals, strong relationships, individual attention, and flexibility.

This article discusses important organizational features of districts and schools whose early results on the Common Core Assessments are better than their peer schools. The Common Core State Standards, Annual Professional Performance Review system and Data-Driven Instruction can be thought of as transplants to the school organizational “garden.” Findings suggest particular garden-like features in the schools and district offices where the transplants have taken hold and students are performing above predicted levels.

This presentation presents findings that in high schools with higher than expected graduation rates, educators are looking beyond graduation to students’ post-secondary needs, and meeting those needs with clear goals, strong relationships, individual attention, and flexibility.

This qualitative multiple case study contributes to the growing body of translational research that
seeks to better understand what is needed to develop capacities for evidence-guided continuous
improvement in P-12 settings. The study investigated school leadership team participants’
perceptions of an intervention called COMPASS. COMPASS engages teams from different
schools and districts in activities to identify strengths, weaknesses, and priorities then engage in
an inquiry cycle of implementing action plans, gathering data and interpreting evidence in order
to reach targeted goals. Two-hundred and twenty-eight district and school leaders and
instructional staff from 36 school teams provided reflections on the intervention revealing the
majority reported increases in competence in all dimensions of evidence-guided decision
making, from priority and goal setting to identifying potential research-based levers to
improvement as well as increased capacities for school- and district-wide action planning and
progress monitoring. Observation field notes, documentary evidence, and interviews with school
leaders also indicate that the process fundamentally shifts educators’ focus on systemic changes
to achieve system-wide targeted goals. Implications for theory, future research, and
considerations for those interested in university/P-12 partnerships for continuous improvement
are discussed.

In a new study, a team from the University at Albany’s School of Education examined high school completion by studying eight high schools with consistently higher than predicted graduation rates among at least two groups of students generally considered at risk of failing to complete high school. These were compared with five demographically similar schools that consistently achieved average graduation rates among the same groups.

What are the qualities of classrooms, school, and district processes and practices in rural high schools with higher-than-average graduation rates? How do these processes and practices compare with rural high schools with histories of average graduation rates? In this study, six schools were sampled for a multiple case study of rural high school completion. Four had higher-than-average graduation rates, while two had average rates. All six schools were visited by site teams who conducted 63 interviews and collected documentary evidence of practices and processes related to high school graduation. Key findings include on graduation rate success include: (1) the qualities of academic goals and learning opportunities; (2) the nature of individual and a collective educator efficacy; (3) the strategies educators used to develop and maintain family relationships and engage community members; and (4) mechanisms for adapting instruction and employing interventions for students at risk of dropping out.

Since 2005, NYKids has conducted six such studies spanning elementary through high school, with some looking at specific instructional contexts (e.g. science classrooms) and others at particular groups of students (ethnic and linguistic minority and special needs). NYKids have found that the higher-performing schools in each study share some common characteristics that distinguish them from schools with typical performance. Across all the studies, NYKids found that in the higher performers, educators collaboratively use data to drive decisions about curriculum and instruction with the goal of ensuring that every student can and will learn; in addition, they take the stance that “poverty is no excuse” for poor student performance.

This presentation presents findings on studies examining the practices of schools that do better than expected with high-poverty populations. Key findings include: (1) a vision of success that includes high poverty students achieving beyond predicted levels; (2) collaboration and shared responsibility; and (3) decision making based on a variety of evidence.

This presentation presents the findings of “beating the odds” schools. Selection of the schools is based on 3 years of NYS Assessment results. Researchers conduct two-day site visits, and analyze the data looking for differences in practice.

In 2012-13, research teams investigated 13 high schools; eight of these schools had consistently higher than predicted graduation rates among at least two critical needs groups and five consistently achieved average graduation rates, given their student demographics. Schools were selected based on the four-year graduation rates for cohorts of 2004, 2005, and 2006, as reported on their state report cards in 2009-11. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample.

In 2012-13, research teams investigated 13 high schools; eight of these schools had consistently higher than predicted graduation rates among at least two critical needs groups and five consistently achieved average graduation rates, given their student demographics. Schools were selected based on the four-year graduation rates for cohorts of 2004, 2005, and 2006, as reported on their state report cards in 2009-11. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. In 2012-13, research teams investigated 13 high schools; eight of these schools had consistently higher than predicted graduation rates among at least two critical needs groups and five consistently achieved average graduation rates, given their student demographics. Schools were selected based on the four-year graduation rates for cohorts of 2004, 2005, and 2006, as reported on their state report cards in 2009-11. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. In 2012-13, research teams investigated 13 high schools; eight of these schools had consistently higher than predicted graduation rates among at least two critical needs groups and five consistently achieved average graduation rates, given their student demographics. Schools were selected based on the four-year graduation rates for cohorts of 2004, 2005, and 2006, as reported on their state report cards in 2009-11. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. In 2012-13, research teams investigated 13 high schools; eight of these schools had consistently higher than predicted graduation rates among at least two critical needs groups and five consistently achieved average graduation rates, given their student demographics. Schools were selected based on the four-year graduation rates for cohorts of 2004, 2005, and 2006, as reported on their state report cards in 2009-11. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample.

This presentation discusses the best practices of elementary schools that outperform others among populations of critical needs students, such as those living in poverty.

This article describes the work of the NYKids project to identify factors explaining higher performance among critical needs elementary students. Critical needs students include those with special needs and English Language Learners, as well as those living in poverty and students from traditionally disadvantaged racial backgrounds. Results of study suggest factors include: (1) close engagement with and understanding of students; (2) literacy- and technology-enriched instruction; (3) an evidence-based approach to curriculum and performance; and (4) fluid adaption and deployment of resources.

This presentation provides an overview of the ongoing NYKids project. The mission of the project is to inform, inspire and improve by providing research in support of school improvement efforts.

This presentation describes the school improvement process and tools connected to the NYKids research studies.

This presentation describes the COMPASS process. The process involves harnessing the research generated through the NYKids project for the purpose of school improvement. Schools participate in COMPASS Institutes and utilize COMPASS tools. COMPASS stands for: (1) COMPare practices to higher performance; (20 Assess priorities; (3) Select potential levers to improve; and (4) Set Smart goals.

This presentation describes the best practices used by schools in working with critical needs students. These practices include: (1) close engagement with and understanding of young people with critical needs; (2) literacy-and technology-enriched instruction; and (3) fluid adaptation and deployment of resources.

Evidence indicates that collaboration is one of the keys to a school’s success in improving student performance and closing achievement gaps, though policymakers at the national and state levels, including New York, are moving toward teacher evaluation systems that attempt to attribute student progress to the efforts of individual teachers.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. For the study of critical needs elementary schools, conducted during the 2010-11 school year, research teams investigated ten consistently higher-performing and five consistently average-performing elementary schools. Schools were selected based on the performance of critical needs subgroups – African American, Hispanic, English language learners, and special education students, and students living in poverty as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch – on New York State Assessments of English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3 through 4, 5, or 6 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. For the study of critical needs elementary schools, conducted during the 2010-11 school year, research teams investigated ten consistently higher-performing and five consistently average-performing elementary schools. Schools were selected based on the performance of critical needs subgroups – African American, Hispanic, English language learners, and special education students, and students living in poverty as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch – on New York State Assessments of English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3 through 4, 5, or 6 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. For the study of critical needs elementary schools, conducted during the 2010-11 school year, research teams investigated ten consistently higher-performing and five consistently average-performing elementary schools. Schools were selected based on the performance of critical needs subgroups – African American, Hispanic, English language learners, and special education students, and students living in poverty as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch – on New York State Assessments of English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3 through 4, 5, or 6 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. For the study of critical needs elementary schools, conducted during the 2010-11 school year, research teams investigated ten consistently higher-performing and five consistently average-performing elementary schools. Schools were selected based on the performance of critical needs subgroups – African American, Hispanic, English language learners, and special education students, and students living in poverty as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch – on New York State Assessments of English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3 through 4, 5, or 6 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. For the study of critical needs elementary schools, conducted during the 2010-11 school year, research teams investigated ten consistently higher-performing and five consistently average-performing elementary schools. Schools were selected based on the performance of critical needs subgroups – African American, Hispanic, English language learners, and special education students, and students living in poverty as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch – on New York State Assessments of English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3 through 4, 5, or 6 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. For the study of critical needs elementary schools, conducted during the 2010-11 school year, research teams investigated ten consistently higher-performing and five consistently average-performing elementary schools. Schools were selected based on the performance of critical needs subgroups – African American, Hispanic, English language learners, and special education students, and students living in poverty as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch – on New York State Assessments of English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3 through 4, 5, or 6 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. For the study of critical needs elementary schools, conducted during the 2010-11 school year, research teams investigated ten consistently higher-performing and five consistently average-performing elementary schools. Schools were selected based on the performance of critical needs subgroups – African American, Hispanic, English language learners, and special education students, and students living in poverty as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch – on New York State Assessments of English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3 through 4, 5, or 6 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. For the study of critical needs elementary schools, conducted during the 2010-11 school year, research teams investigated ten consistently higher-performing and five consistently average-performing elementary schools. Schools were selected based on the performance of critical needs subgroups – African American, Hispanic, English language learners, and special education students, and students living in poverty as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch – on New York State Assessments of English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3 through 4, 5, or 6 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. For the study of critical needs elementary schools, conducted during the 2010-11 school year, research teams investigated ten consistently higher-performing and five consistently average-performing elementary schools. Schools were selected based on the performance of critical needs subgroups – African American, Hispanic, English language learners, and special education students, and students living in poverty as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch – on New York State Assessments of English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3 through 4, 5, or 6 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. For the study of critical needs elementary schools, conducted during the 2010-11 school year, research teams investigated ten consistently higher-performing and five consistently average-performing elementary schools. Schools were selected based on the performance of critical needs subgroups – African American, Hispanic, English language learners, and special education students, and students living in poverty as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch – on New York State Assessments of English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3 through 4, 5, or 6 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a larger study of high schools conducted during the 2007-08 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and five average-performing high schools based on student performance on New York State Assessments of English, mathematics, science, and history. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher-and average-performing schools in the sample.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a larger study of high schools conducted during the 2007-08 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and five average-performing high schools based on student performance on New York State Assessments of English, mathematics, science, and history. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher-and average-performing schools in the sample.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a larger study of high schools conducted during the 2007-08 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and five average-performing high schools based on student performance on New York State Assessments of English, mathematics, science, and history. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher-and average-performing schools in the sample.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a larger study of high schools conducted during the 2007-08 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and five average-performing high schools based on student performance on New York State Assessments of English, mathematics, science, and history. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher-and average-performing schools in the sample.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a larger study of high schools conducted during the 2007-08 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and five average-performing high schools based on student performance on New York State Assessments of English, mathematics, science, and history. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher-and average-performing schools in the sample.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a larger study of high schools conducted during the 2007-08 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and five average-performing high schools based on student performance on New York State Assessments of English, mathematics, science, and history. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practices between higher-and average-performing schools in the sample.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a large study of middle schools conducted during the 2006-07 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and six average-performing middle schools on student performance in New York State Assessments of 8th grade English Language Arts and Mathematics. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practice between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample. In half the higher-performing schools, poverty levels meet or exceed the state average (as measured by the percent of students receiving free or reduced lunch). Average-performing schools were matched as closely as possible to the higher performers in terms of student poverty levels, geographic location, size, and student ethnicity. Results were organized along five broad themes that form the framework of the national Just for the Kids Study of which the New York study is part. The national study is sponsored by the National Center for Educational Accountability.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a large study of middle schools conducted during the 2006-07 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and six average-performing middle schools on student performance in New York State Assessments of 8th grade English Language Arts and Mathematics. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practice between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample. In half the higher-performing schools, poverty levels meet or exceed the state average (as measured by the percent of students receiving free or reduced lunch). Average-performing schools were matched as closely as possible to the higher performers in terms of student poverty levels, geographic location, size, and student ethnicity. Results were organized along five broad themes that form the framework of the national Just for the Kids Study of which the New York study is part. The national study is sponsored by the National Center for Educational Accountability.

Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and six average-performing middle schools on student performance in New York State Assessments of 8th grade English Language Arts and Mathematics. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practice between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample. In half the higher-performing schools, poverty levels meet or exceed the state average (as measured by the percent of students receiving free or reduced lunch). Average-performing schools were matched as closely as possible to the higher performers in terms of student poverty levels, geographic location, size, and student ethnicity. Results were organized along five broad themes that form the framework of the national Just for the Kids Study of which the New York study is part. The national study is sponsored by the National Center for Educational Accountability.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a large study of middle schools conducted during the 2006-07 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and six average-performing middle schools on student performance in New York State Assessments of 8th grade English Language Arts and Mathematics. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practice between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample. In half the higher-performing schools, poverty levels meet or exceed the state average (as measured by the percent of students receiving free or reduced lunch). Average-performing schools were matched as closely as possible to the higher performers in terms of student poverty levels, geographic location, size, and student ethnicity. Results were organized along five broad themes that form the framework of the national Just for the Kids Study of which the New York study is part. The national study is sponsored by the National Center for Educational Accountability.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a large study of middle schools conducted during the 2006-07 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and six average-performing middle schools on student performance in New York State Assessments of 8th grade English Language Arts and Mathematics. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practice between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample. In half the higher-performing schools, poverty levels meet or exceed the state average (as measured by the percent of students receiving free or reduced lunch). Average-performing schools were matched as closely as possible to the higher performers in terms of student poverty levels, geographic location, size, and student ethnicity. Results were organized along five broad themes that form the framework of the national Just for the Kids Study of which the New York study is part. The national study is sponsored by the National Center for Educational Accountability.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a large study of middle schools conducted during the 2006-07 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and six average-performing middle schools on student performance in New York State Assessments of 8th grade English Language Arts and Mathematics. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practice between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample. In half the higher-performing schools, poverty levels meet or exceed the state average (as measured by the percent of students receiving free or reduced lunch). Average-performing schools were matched as closely as possible to the higher performers in terms of student poverty levels, geographic location, size, and student ethnicity. Results were organized along five broad themes that form the framework of the national Just for the Kids Study of which the New York study is part. The national study is sponsored by the National Center for Educational Accountability.

This case study is one of 10 produced as part of a large study of middle schools conducted during the 2006-07 school year. Research teams investigated 10 consistently higher-performing and six average-performing middle schools on student performance in New York State Assessments of 8th grade English Language Arts and Mathematics. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to determine differences in practice between higher- and average-performing schools in the sample. In half the higher-performing schools, poverty levels meet or exceed the state average (as measured by the percent of students receiving free or reduced lunch). Average-performing schools were matched as closely as possible to the higher performers in terms of student poverty levels, geographic location, size, and student ethnicity. Results were organized along five broad themes that form the framework of the national Just for the Kids Study of which the New York study is part. The national study is sponsored by the National Center for Educational Accountability.

Conducted in the 2004-2005 school year, research teams investigated 10 consistently higher performing and five average performing elementary schools to determine the differences in practices between higher and average performing elementary schools. Schools were identified through an in-depth analysis of academic achievement. Researchers used site-based interviews and observations, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to investigate the practices of each of the 15 schools in the study. District-, school-, and classroom-level practices were studied in the five themes of NCEA’s Best Practice Framework: Curriculum and Academic Goals; Staff Selection, Leadership, and Capacity Building; Instructional Programs, Practices, and Arrangements; Monitoring: Compilation, Analysis, and Use of Data; and Recognition, Intervention, and Adjustment.

Conducted in the 2004-2005 school year, research teams investigated 10 consistently higher performing and five average performing elementary schools to determine the differences in practices between higher and average performing elementary schools. Schools were identified through an in-depth analysis of academic achievement. Researchers used site-based interviews and observations, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to investigate the practices of each of the 15 schools in the study. District-, school-, and classroom-level practices were studied in the five themes of NCEA’s Best Practice Framework: Curriculum and Academic Goals; Staff Selection, Leadership, and Capacity Building; Instructional Programs, Practices, and Arrangements; Monitoring: Compilation, Analysis, and Use of Data; and Recognition, Intervention, and Adjustment.

Conducted in the 2004-2005 school year, research teams investigated 10 consistently higher performing and five average performing elementary schools to determine the differences in practices between higher and average performing elementary schools. Schools were identified through an in-depth analysis of academic achievement. Researchers used site-based interviews and observations, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to investigate the practices of each of the 15 schools in the study. District-, school-, and classroom-level practices were studied in the five themes of NCEA’s Best Practice Framework: Curriculum and Academic Goals; Staff Selection, Leadership, and Capacity Building; Instructional Programs, Practices, and Arrangements; Monitoring: Compilation, Analysis, and Use of Data; and Recognition, Intervention, and Adjustment.

Conducted in the 2004-2005 school year, research teams investigated 10 consistently higher performing and five average performing elementary schools to determine the differences in practices between higher and average performing elementary schools. Schools were identified through an in-depth analysis of academic achievement. Researchers used site-based interviews and observations, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to investigate the practices of each of the 15 schools in the study. District-, school-, and classroom-level practices were studied in the five themes of NCEA’s Best Practice Framework: Curriculum and Academic Goals; Staff Selection, Leadership, and Capacity Building; Instructional Programs, Practices, and Arrangements; Monitoring: Compilation, Analysis, and Use of Data; and Recognition, Intervention, and Adjustment.

Conducted in the 2004-2005 school year, research teams investigated 10 consistently higher performing and five average performing elementary schools to determine the differences in practices between higher and average performing elementary schools. Schools were identified through an in-depth analysis of academic achievement. Researchers used site-based interviews and observations, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to investigate the practices of each of the 15 schools in the study. District-, school-, and classroom-level practices were studied in the five themes of NCEA’s Best Practice Framework: Curriculum and Academic Goals; Staff Selection, Leadership, and Capacity Building; Instructional Programs, Practices, and Arrangements; Monitoring: Compilation, Analysis, and Use of Data; and Recognition, Intervention, and Adjustment.

Conducted in the 2004-2005 school year, research teams investigated 10 consistently higher performing and five average performing elementary schools to determine the differences in practices between higher and average performing elementary schools. Schools were identified through an in-depth analysis of academic achievement. Researchers used site-based interviews and observations, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to investigate the practices of each of the 15 schools in the study. District-, school-, and classroom-level practices were studied in the five themes of NCEA’s Best Practice Framework: Curriculum and Academic Goals; Staff Selection, Leadership, and Capacity Building; Instructional Programs, Practices, and Arrangements; Monitoring: Compilation, Analysis, and Use of Data; and Recognition, Intervention, and Adjustment.

Conducted in the 2004-2005 school year, research teams investigated 10 consistently higher performing and five average performing elementary schools to determine the differences in practices between higher and average performing elementary schools. Schools were identified through an in-depth analysis of academic achievement. Researchers used site-based interviews and observations, as well as the analysis of supportive documentation, to investigate the practices of each of the 15 schools in the study. District-, school-, and classroom-level practices were studied in the five themes of NCEA’s Best Practice Framework: Curriculum and Academic Goals; Staff Selection, Leadership, and Capacity Building; Instructional Programs, Practices, and Arrangements; Monitoring: Compilation, Analysis, and Use of Data; and Recognition, Intervention, and Adjustment.

2010 Collaborative Conversation Essential for Middle-Level Success

This presentation shares findings on collaborative conversations essential for middle-level success. The three essential components for trust include a climate of respect and trust, structures to support it, and an expectation of collaboration.

2010 Collaboration Does Make a Difference

This presentation shares research from NYKids on the importance of collaboration in middle school settings.

2009 What Makes Middle Schools Work - Five Keys to Success

This presentation discusses the best practice research findings from a study of middle schools. It also offers free resources to inform continuous school improvement efforts in the future.

2009 Redefining Evidence of Success - Best Practices in NY

This presentation offers best practices across higher performing schools (elementary, middle and high). Key findings include that higher performing schools embrace a variety of data and culture of continuous improvement.

2008 What Makes Middle School Work - A Report on Best Practices in NYS Middle Schools

This presentation discusses the best practice research findings from a study of middle schools. It also offers free resources to inform continuous school improvement efforts in the future.