Policy Review Series Part 2: School Innovation

Excerpt from CGR’s report:

One of Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard’s  first moves was to create The Office of School Innovation, charged with improving student achievement by “breaking the mold,” creating new schools, structures, and policies that are a significant departure from the status quo.

One new school opened last year, five open this fall, a few are moving toward the K-8 structure. More notably, eight schools are closing based on low performance. There has also been progress toward a “continuum of autonomy” whereby schools earn autonomy based on their performance. As the 2010-11 school year opens, there is some concern about the logistics of opening and closing so many new schools so quickly. Moreover, we are concerned that tools to monitor and share progress for new schools have not been developed. Every superintendent in recent memory has announced “bold, new strategies”—only to report continued disappointing performance. Rochester has been down this road before, so the community is watching closely.

Download report: Policy Review #2: School Innovation

First of a 5-Part Policy Review Series Now Available

CGR has been engaged by the Rochester NY City School District and private funders to assess the Rochester City School District’s (RCSD) progress in implementing its strategic plan for district reform. This report is the first of a 5-part series of policy reviews that focus on key levers of the plan. The remaining four policy reviews – to be published in fall 2010 – will address: school innovation, use of data, culture change, and effective educators.  CGR’s goals in producing the policy reviews are to:

• Inform the community about the complexities of district reform;
• Hold the district accountable for implementing its plan; and
• Support the district in its process of internal improvement.

Download: Policy Review #1: Curriculum & Assessments