ERS Resource Guides Mentioned in PEN Weekly Newsblast
In the first of a series of resource guides, Education Resource Strategies and Education Week have released Seven Strategies for District Transformation, which outlines seven resource misalignments in school systems, and provides seven strategies to transform those systems. The tools are designed to help districts clearly define their strategic priorities; assess how well their resources—people, time, and money—align with those strategic priorities; and make resource decisions that drive improved student performance and equity. The seven common misalignments are 1) schools and students with the same needs receive different levels and types of resources that don’t match their needs; 2) job structure, salary, and support do not encourage teacher effectiveness and contribution; 3) traditional school schedules and staffing practices do not match time and individual attention to priorities, or foster professional working conditions for teachers; 4) spending on and organization of curriculum, assessment, instruction, and professional development are not aligned with school needs; 5) districts make limited investments to build and reward leadership effectiveness; 6) central school services and supervision are not designed to improve productivity and customize support to school needs; and 7) districts do not leverage more cost-effective community and expert resources to provide student support and non-core academic instruction. For each misalignment, ERS explains strategies for addressing them, offers examples of how districts are tackling this challenge, and recommends specific actions.