What would it take to align a school district and outside partners in a citywide ?smart education system? that would reach the elusive goal of providing sustainable, high-quality education at scale? Drawing on lessons from four cities, the articles in this issue of VUE examine the challenges of achieving equity and scale; human capital development; cross-sector partnerships; community organizing strategies that combine collaboration and pressure; and data-informed decision-making.
Recent Publications
The quality of teachers and instruction has been the subject of an increasing volume of new studies, policy reports, government programs, and philanthropic initiatives in recent years. This attention to the heart of our public system education system is welcome. But most of the focus has been on the individual teacher. The authors of the latest issue of Voices in Urban Education, “...
“Leading indicators” in education — as in economics — can provide early signs of progress toward academic achievement and help education leaders make informed decisions to improve student learning — before the test results come in. The Leading Indicator Spotlight series of research briefs is designed to accompany the research report Beyond Test Scores: Leading Indicators for Education...
VUE has played a key role in developing the concept of “smart education systems” – high-functioning school districts linked to civic and community partners to provide a comprehensive web of supports for children and families. Through dialogue among divergent viewpoints, a picture has emerged of what this might look like.
Educators and community leaders recognize that districts must play a vital role to ensure results and equity for all students. But to play this role effectively, districts must be redesigned. The current structure and operations in most communities are inadequate. This issue of Voices in Urban Education examines district redesign from a range of perspectives.