ERIC Number: EJ752260
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0276-928X
EISSN: N/A
Alabama District Improves by Sharpening Data and Goals
Newman, Jane L.
Journal of Staff Development, v27 n2 p10-14 Spr 2006
When students already are achieving at high levels, it can be easy for teachers to become complacent. However, Mountain Brook Schools in suburban Birmingham, Alabama, has developed a culture committed to continuous improvement that has resulted in an excellent system becoming outstanding. The key is professional development. Professional learning has become such a part of the system's culture that it is now integral to each of 14 goals in the district's strategic plan and is explicit in two goals: (1) To design and implement an effective, challenging, and engaging curriculum that promotes the highest level of academic excellence and personal growth for each student; and (2) To design, implement, and support an exemplary professional development program. This article describes how the six schools of the district of Alabama set goals and use data from standardized test results and comprehensive surveys for continuously improving academic achievement.
Descriptors: Test Results, Standardized Tests, Strategic Planning, Faculty Development, Surveys, Academic Achievement, Individual Development, Suburban Schools, School Districts, Educational Quality, Advanced Placement Programs
National Staff Development Council. 5995 Fairfield Road Suite #4, Oxford, OH 45056. Tel: 513-523-6029; Fax: 513-523-0638; e-mail: NSDCoffice@nsdc.org; Web site: http://www.nsdc.org/news/jsd/index.cfm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education; Elementary Secondary Education; High Schools; Junior High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Alabama
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A