Collaborative School Reviews
How to Shape Schools From the Inside
- Beverley Freedman - Education Leadership Consultant, Canada
- Raf Di Cecco - ARD Consulting Services Ltd, President
A Joint Publication with Ontario Principals’ Council
School Change & Reform
"It is heartening to read about a practical, specific and supportive school review process that begins with true collaboration! Bev Freedman and Raf Di Cecco offer a complete package for educators who crave how to collaboratively guide school improvement from the inside out."
—Lyn Sharratt, Author, Putting FACES on the Data
Say goodbye to top-down evaluations and hello to collaboration and change!
How can you leverage the objectivity of outside evaluators and the knowledge of local educators who understand your school's particular situation to help you drive school improvement? The answer: collaborative schools reviews.
Beverly Freedman and Raf DiCecco show how to design and implement a rigorous and effective school evaluation process, conducted by personnel from within your district in collaboration with your school leadership team. Here you'll find user-friendly guidance for planning and managing every step of the review process, including
- A research-based case for how collaborative school reviews transform teaching and learning
- Guidance on ensuring that the review process aligns with the district's mission and goals as well as with the Common Core State Standards
- Best practices and protocols for creating review teams and conducting onsite classroom observations
- How-to's for effectively using data to gain a balanced view of school performance
- A composite case study that brings the collaborative school review process to life
This breakthrough book shows how to bring school and district teams together to shape sustainable, positive change and strengthen student achievement.
"Compared to the Standard Bearer review process, those included in the book are more detailed and provide more questions for reflection throughout the process."
"I liked the use of the case study approach with the Lone Birch School District. It made the concepts and processes come alive. The case study examples and stories supported the discussion in each chapter. I liked how the chapters differentiated between planning at the district level and planning at school level. BRILLIANT IDEA! I felt that there was appropriate coverage of critical areas."
"A further consideration is the insightful inclusion of student involvement in the review process—often a neglected population. The authors have coined the phrase "Data Tapestry," indicating that in order to achieve evidence-informed practice, there is a need for the collective use of rich, broad data. significant omissions or excesses."
"The questions and suggestions for classroom visitations were insightful and well done."
"The authors are true transformational leaders, keenly tuned in to current challenges and changes in classrooms and schools today. Their reader-friendly resource features an engaging and clear writing style and easy to follow guidelines, based on research and their personal experiences and insights. Their collaborative "inside out" model for school improvement is built on collegiality and accountability, uses data-driven evidence, and can be easily tailored to meet individual needs. What is key is that it is a cost-effective, positive "non-deficit" model, encouraging educators to look within their schools and systems for strengths and opportunities for learning and growth to benefit all students. This is definitely a resource well worth reading and using!"
"It is heartening to read about a practical, specific and supportive school review process that begins with true collaboration! Bev Freedman and Raf Di Cecco offer a complete package for educators who crave how to collaboratively guide school improvement from the inside out. This brilliant approach to improvement includes the Review; the Professional Learning needed; and the monitoring to sustain. A must-read for those who want systematic, dynamic school reviews that engage!"
"The authors share a wealth of experience, knowledge and practical wisdom balanced with compassion and vision. They recognize the power of effective conversations and structures to promote student success. This book should be required reading for anybody leading change at their school or district."
"Bev Freedman and Raf DiCecco address one of education's most complex questions-how do we improve learning in all schools so that every student achieves success. Through sound research and rich illustrative examples, Freedman and DiCecco show the answer is not about external pressure and compliance, rather, it is all about an effective and collaborative design process that strategically shapes schools from the inside out. A must read for those interested in transformational change."
"Many books provide general prescriptions for school systems wanting to improve outcomes and reduce achievement gaps. Collaborative School Reviews, on the other hand, provides a detailed yet flexible approach to an important vehicle for achieving this end. The authors are clear on principles, provide many examples of specific practices, and understand the importance of local context. Their work is guided by a solid knowledge of the relevant research as well as extensive direct experience. Every education leader will get valuable ideas from his work."
"Collaborative School Reviews provides insightful and thought provoking processes to assist system leaders and principals develop effective methods to provide on-going feedback and support to schools thus raising achievement levels for students and supporting strong support structures for teachers. This book is a must read for any school system leader who wants to develop a supportive systemic system for school improvement."
