Developing Successful K-8 Schools
A Principal's Guide
Principalship
"The return to K–8 schools is an opportunity to step back, be purposeful and thoughtful, and plan for what we want for young persons in our schools. This book provides the vision and the tools we need to plan and build something better in Grades K–8."
—Heather MacTaggart, Executive Director
Classroom Connections, Ontario, Canada
A how-to guide for developing or transitioning to a K–8 school!
The K–8 model for school design has gained popularity with educators and parents for demonstrating higher student achievement, fewer behavioral problems, and increased cost effectiveness. This comprehensive guide provides school leaders with the tools to develop and implement a sound plan for creating an exemplary K-8 school or transitioning successfully to the K–8 approach.
Developing Successful K–8 Schools offers strategies for designing curriculum aligned to state standards, promoting 21st-century skills, planning instruction, and evaluating an effective K–8 program. Readers will also find:
- Ten proven instructional methods for meeting the learning needs of K–8 students, plus examples that illustrate how to apply the strategies and deal with problems that might arise
- Student assessment techniques and record-keeping procedures
- Implementation tools such as checklists, activity charts, and much more!
This resource is ideal for school leaders who want to articulate a clear vision for a K–8 school and stay on the cutting edge of educational excellence and student achievement.
“This book provides a clear and concise road map for turning the current trend towards K-8 schools to the advantage of children. The return to K-8 schools is an opportunity to step back, be purposeful and thoughtful, and plan for what we want for young persons in our schools. This book provides the vision and the tools we need to plan and build something better in Grades K-8.”
“As a middle school principal, I find many of these arguments compelling. This book makes a major contribution to the field of education. School leaders developing K-8 schools will find this book helpful.”
"A valuable resource for all educators. It not only provides a timeline of past mistakes and successes we’ve made educating students of these ages, but goes further to provide a prescription for future schools that emphasizes developmental levels, content, skill-building, and involvement of students, parents, teachers, and administrators.”