A primary activity of NYKids is to conduct research and identify promising practices in odds-beating schools.

Results of each study are available in multiple formats and include reports that summarize the results of each study; best practice frameworks that offer comparisons of higher- and typically-performing schools and sample documents from the odds-beating performers; and case studies of the individual higher-performing, odds-beating schools studied.

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Search Results (189)

2016 ELL Elementary Study – Full Report

In 2015-16, research teams investigated 6 elementary schools. In comparison to schools serving similar populations at each grade level, these odds-beating schools are ones in which English Language Learners exceeded expected average performance.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. In 2015-16, research teams investigated 6 elementary schools. In comparison to schools serving similar populations at each grade level, these odds-beating schools are ones in which English Language Learners exceeded expected average performance on the 2012-13 and 2013-14 state mathematics and English language arts assessments across multiple grade levels and subjects. Comparisons were for grades three through six. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation in all schools; in four of the schools student interviews and classroom observations were also conducted.

Levels of Schooling: Elementary
Publication Years: 2016
Published: September 1, 2016
2016 ELL Elementary Study – Fostertown ETC Magnet

In 2015-16, research teams investigated 6 elementary schools. In comparison to schools serving similar populations at each grade level, these odds-beating schools are ones in which English Language Learners exceeded expected average performance.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. In 2015-16, research teams investigated 6 elementary schools. In comparison to schools serving similar populations at each grade level, these odds-beating schools are ones in which English Language Learners exceeded expected average performance on the 2012-13 and 2013-14 state mathematics and English language arts assessments across multiple grade levels and subjects. Comparisons were for grades three through six. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation in all schools; in four of the schools student interviews and classroom observations were also conducted.

Formats: Case Study
Levels of Schooling: Elementary
Publication Years: 2016
Regions: Hudson Valley
Urbanicities: Urban
Published: September 1, 2016Author(s): Karen Gregory
2016 ELL Elementary Study – Catskill ES

In 2015-16, research teams investigated 6 elementary schools. In comparison to schools serving similar populations at each grade level, these odds-beating schools are ones in which English Language Learners exceeded expected average performance.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. In 2015-16, research teams investigated 6 elementary schools. In comparison to schools serving similar populations at each grade level, these odds-beating schools are ones in which English Language Learners exceeded expected average performance on the 2012-13 and 2013-14 state mathematics and English language arts assessments across multiple grade levels and subjects. Comparisons were for grades three through six. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation in all schools; in four of the schools student interviews and classroom observations were also conducted.

Formats: Case Study
Levels of Schooling: Elementary
Publication Years: 2016
Regions: Hudson Valley
Urbanicities: Rural
Published: September 1, 2016Author(s): Aaron Leo, Karen Gregory
2016 ELL Elementary Study – Blue Creek ES

In 2015-16, research teams investigated 6 elementary schools. In comparison to schools serving similar populations at each grade level, these odds-beating schools are ones in which English Language Learners exceeded expected average performance.

This case study is one of a series of studies conducted by Know Your Schools~for NY Kids since 2005. In 2015-16, research teams investigated 6 elementary schools. In comparison to schools serving similar populations at each grade level, these odds-beating schools are ones in which English Language Learners exceeded expected average performance on the 2012-13 and 2013-14 state mathematics and English language arts assessments across multiple grade levels and subjects. Comparisons were for grades three through six. Researchers used site-based interviews of teachers and administrators, as well as analyses of supportive documentation in all schools; in four of the schools student interviews and classroom observations were also conducted.

Formats: Case Study
Levels of Schooling: Elementary
Publication Years: 2016
Urbanicities: Suburban
Published: September 1, 2016Author(s): Kristen Wilcox
2016 The trust-communication connection in RTT Policy

The presentation describes the association between trust and communication during policy innovation and implementation.

The presentation describes the association between trust and communication during policy innovation and implementation.

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary
Publication Years: 2016
Published: April 1, 2016Author(s): Francesca Durand, Kristen Wilcox, Hal Lawson, Karen GregoryLocation: American Educational Research Association Annual Conference
2016 DDI to support CCLS

The study identifies the school practices and policies found in elementary and middle schools whose students exceeded performance expectations on the 2012-13 New York State assessments.

The study identifies the school practices and policies found in elementary and middle schools whose students exceeded performance expectations on the 2012-13 New York State assessments. This presentation considers how educators approach data-driven instruction, the types of data used and for what purposes, and practices or processes to support data-driven instruction.

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2016
Published: March 11, 2016Author(s): Karen Gregory, Janet Angelis, Kristen WilcoxLocation: DATAG Fall Conference
2016 Local Approach Benefits Education

This article discusses the recent reauthorization of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Action, known as Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

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.

Levels of Schooling: Elementary, High, Middle
Publication Years: 2016
Topics: Diversity
Published: January 13, 2016Author(s): Kristen Wilcox, Janet Angelis
2016 Teachers in schools beating the odds

The primary purpose for the proposed research was to identify the school practices and policies found in elementary and middle schools whose students exceeded performance expectations on New York State Common Core assessments (as well as those that were used prior to Common Core).

The primary purpose for the proposed research was to identify the school practices and policies found in elementary and middle schools whose students exceeded performance expectations on New York State Common Core assessments (as well as those that were used prior to Common Core).

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2016
Topics: Common Core
Published: January 1, 2016Author(s): Kristen Wilcox
2015 Odds-beating Schools in the Common Core Era (November 2015)

This presentation identifies the school practices and polices found in elementary and middle schools whose students exceeded performance expectations on the 2012-13 New York State assessments, which were the first aligned with the Common Core Standards.

This presentation identifies the school practices and polices found in elementary and middle schools whose students exceeded performance expectations on the 2012-13 New York State assessments, which were the first aligned with the Common Core Standards.

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Published: November 2, 2015Author(s): Kristen Wilcox, Kathryn Schiller, Francesca Durand, Sarah Zuckerman, Karen Gregory, Heather Kurto, Hal LawsonLocation: CASDA
2015 Developing Capacities for Evidence-Guided Continuous Improvement

This presentation presents on a study that 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.

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.

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary, High, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Published: October 1, 2015Author(s): Kristen Wilcox, Janet Angelis, Hal LawsonLocation: The National Center on Scaling Up Effective Schools
2015 In the Common Core, era, schools need good organizational gardening

This article discusses important organizational features of districts and schools whose early results on the Common Core Assessments are better than their peer schools.

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.

Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Published: September 21, 2015Author(s): Kristen Wilcox, Hal Lawson, Janet AngelisPublished By: New York State School Boards Association
2015 Odds-beating Schools in the Common Core Era (August 2015)

This presentation identifies the school practices and polices found in elementary and middle schools whose students exceeded performance expectations on the 2012-13 New York State assessments, which were the first aligned with the Common Core Standards.

This presentation identifies the school practices and polices found in elementary and middle schools whose students exceeded performance expectations on the 2012-13 New York State assessments, which were the first aligned with the Common Core Standards.

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Published: August 28, 2015Author(s): Kristen Wilcox, Kathryn Schiller, Francesca Durand, Karen Gregory, Hal LawsonLocation: SUNY Albany School of Education
2015 AERA – Common Core – Theory of Action

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Topics: Common Core
Published: April 1, 2015Author(s): Hal Lawson, Kristen Wilcox, Francesca Durand, Sarah Zuckerman, Michael Lawson, Kathryn Schiller, Nisa Felicia, Janet AngelisLocation: American Educational Research Association Annual Conference
2015 AERA – Common Core – Proactive and Adaptive Leadership

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Topics: Common Core
Published: April 1, 2015Author(s): Francesca Durand, Hal Lawson, Kristen WilcoxLocation: American Educational Research Association Annual Conference
2015 AERA – Common Core – Literacy Instruction

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Topics: Common Core
Published: April 1, 2015Author(s): Kristen Wilcox, Karen Gregory, Janet AngelisLocation: American Educational Research Association Annual Conference
2015 AERA – Common Core – Introduction

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Published: April 1, 2015Location: American Educational Research Association Annual Conference
2015 AERA – Common Core – Indetification & Selection of Odds-Beating ES

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Formats: Presentation
Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Topics: Common Core
Published: April 1, 2015Author(s): Kathryn Schiller, Michelle Feder BianchiLocation: American Educational Research Association Annual Conference
2015 AERA – Common Core – Discussant

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Presentation of the findings from a comparative study of New York State schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments.

Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Topics: Common Core
Published: April 1, 2015Author(s): Alan DysonLocation: American Educational Research Association Annual Conference
2014 Common Core Study – Methods and Procedures

A systematic examination of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

The Common Core Odds-Beating Studies were developed in collaboration between a team of researchers at the University at Albany and the New York State Education Department. The study began in the recognition that there was a need for research investigating the process and practices in schools with relatively better outcomes on the Common Core-aligned assessments first implemented in the state in the 2011-2012 school year. At the time of this study, there had been no systematic examinations of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Topics: Common Core
Published: March 31, 2015Author(s): Kristen Wilcox, Hal Lawson, Kathryn Schiller, Francesca Durand
2014 Common Core Study – Theory of Action

A systematic examination of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

The Common Core Odds-Beating Studies were developed in collaboration between a team of researchers at the University at Albany and the New York State Education Department. The study began in the recognition that there was a need for research investigating the process and practices in schools with relatively better outcomes on the Common Core-aligned assessments first implemented in the state in the 2011-2012 school year. At the time of this study, there had been no systematic examinations of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Subpopulations: Economic Disadvantage
Topics: Common Core
Published: March 1, 2015
2014 Common Core Study – Sage City MS

This case is one part of a comparative study of New York State middle schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments. The study sample included both odds-beating and typically performing schools.

The Common Core Odds-Beating Studies were developed in collaboration between a team of researchers at the University at Albany and the New York State Education Department. The study began in the recognition that there was a need for research investigating the process and practices in schools with relatively better outcomes on the Common Core-aligned assessments first implemented in the state in the 2011-2012 school year. At the time of this study, there had been no systematic examinations of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

Formats: Case Study
Levels of Schooling: Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Subpopulations: Economic Disadvantage
Topics: Common Core
Published: March 1, 2015Author(s): Francesca Durand, Kristen Wilcox, Sarah Zuckerman, Karen Gregory, Linda Baker
2014 Common Core Study – Roaring Gap MS

This case is one part of a comparative study of New York State middle schools designed to investigate implementation of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) as they relate to student performance outcomes on CCLS-aligned assessments. The study sample included both odds-beating and typically performing schools.

The Common Core Odds-Beating Studies were developed in collaboration between a team of researchers at the University at Albany and the New York State Education Department. The study began in the recognition that there was a need for research investigating the process and practices in schools with relatively better outcomes on the Common Core-aligned assessments first implemented in the state in the 2011-2012 school year. At the time of this study, there had been no systematic examinations of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

Formats: Case Study
Levels of Schooling: Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Subpopulations: Economic Disadvantage
Topics: Common Core
Published: March 1, 2015Author(s): Kristen Wilcox, Kathryn Schiller, Sarah Zuckerman, Lynn Lisy-Macan
2014 Common Core Study – Odds-Beating MS – Cross Case

A systematic examination of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

The Common Core Odds-Beating Studies were developed in collaboration between a team of researchers at the University at Albany and the New York State Education Department. The study began in the recognition that there was a need for research investigating the process and practices in schools with relatively better outcomes on the Common Core-aligned assessments first implemented in the state in the 2011-2012 school year. At the time of this study, there had been no systematic examinations of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

Levels of Schooling: Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Subpopulations: Economic Disadvantage
Topics: Common Core
Published: March 1, 2015
2014 Common Core Study – Odds-Beating Examples

A systematic examination of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

The Common Core Odds-Beating Studies were developed in collaboration between a team of researchers at the University at Albany and the New York State Education Department. The study began in the recognition that there was a need for research investigating the process and practices in schools with relatively better outcomes on the Common Core-aligned assessments first implemented in the state in the 2011-2012 school year. At the time of this study, there had been no systematic examinations of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

Levels of Schooling: Elementary, Middle
Publication Years: 2015
Subpopulations: Economic Disadvantage
Topics: Common Core
Published: March 1, 2015
2014 Common Core Study – Odds-Beating ES – Cross Case

A systematic examination of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

The Common Core Odds-Beating Studies were developed in collaboration between a team of researchers at the University at Albany and the New York State Education Department. The study began in the recognition that there was a need for research investigating the process and practices in schools with relatively better outcomes on the Common Core-aligned assessments first implemented in the state in the 2011-2012 school year. At the time of this study, there had been no systematic examinations of the ways a variety of schools have approached and responded to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems, both part of the Race to the Top reform agenda.

Levels of Schooling: Elementary
Publication Years: 2015
Subpopulations: Economic Disadvantage
Topics: Common Core
Published: March 1, 2015