SchoolWorks consulting services are
provided by a SchoolWorks team of education experts in the
fields of leadership, curriculum, instruction, assessment and school
climate. Our services include:
- SchoolWorks Quality Review©
- SchoolWorks Improvement Planning©
- SchoolWorks Leadership Coaching©
- SchoolWorks Special Projects©
SchoolWorks Quality Review©
The purpose of the SchoolWorks Quality Review (SQR) is to
measure a school's performance against a set of research-based
criteria in order to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Benefits. SQR develops an objective, evidenced-based
report on school quality that can be used for multiple purposes.
The reports are often used to:
- Assess progress against a school's stated goals in
an improvement plan or accountability plan.
- Provide a needs assessment report at the beginning
of an improvement planning process.
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"...SchoolWorks assisted the School District of Philadelphia in the development and
implementation of a School Quality Review process. Over 100 schools were reviewed.
The Project was very successful and continues to influence our accountability
system today. SchoolWorks did an admirable job in three key areas: protocol design, training and quality
control.
SchoolWorks placed an emphasis on working closely with our staff to design a protocol that captured
key evidence about leadership, instruction and use of data."
Thomas Clark, Ed. D.
Director, Office of Research and Evaluation
SchoolWorks Improvement Planning©
SchoolWorks Improvement Planning (SIP) is a process by which a school collects
and analyzes data on student attainment, curriculum implementation and
classroom instruction to inform school improvement planning. It is also
a process by which schools monitor the success of their improvement initiatives
and make decisions about how best to manage teaching and learning.
Benefits. The benefits of SIP:
- It is based on years of research about effective school practices.
- It can work in unison with a wide range of curriculum initiatives because
it is not dependent on any particular approach to instruction or the
adoption of any specific curriculum program.
- It fosters good school management through use of data about students,
staff and daily school practices.
- It is implemented by school personnel under SchoolWorks guidance
and, therefore, is not heavily dependent on trainers and coaches
from outside the school.
- All the components have been used in Philadelphia Public Schools,
which have seen remarkable gains over the last three years.
- SIP is designed to integrate with external school reviews, such
as charter accountability reviews. SIP makes use of such reports
to add to data
available for analysis and to set priorities for improvement.
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SchoolWorks Leadership Coaching©
SchoolWorks Leadership Coaching is designed to maximize achievement
for all students. The SchoolWorks Coach will collaborate with school
leaders to help them develop the skills, knowledge and behavior
needed to improve organizational capacity, resulting in change
that is systematic and sustainable.
Benefits. Through SchoolWorks Leadership Coaching, school leaders will
improve student performance and organizational effectiveness by:
- Building their capacity to collect and analyze data
to monitor student achievement;
- Improving instruction;
- Developing benchmarking skills to track school-wide progress;
- Reflecting on their practice to improve self confidence and
enhance their decision-making ability;
- Improving organizational behaviors and practices;
- Focusing on developing improvement plans that are measurable and systematic;
- Developing tools, resources and skills to tackle the complex issues confronting schools
today (e.g., the use of SWOT, Research Findings, Strategic Alignment Grids,
Strategic Planning Models, School Improvement Planning)
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"The coaching experience has allowed me to become a more thoughtful leader. I have learned
the true meaning of a learning organization and value input from all stakeholders."
"The coaching experience has given me a deeper understanding of leadership."
"My coach is one that I truly respect. I respect him enough that he can put me
in check when necessary and I don’t think twice about it."
Joanne Hunt
Principal, Harbor Science and Arts Charter School
SchoolWorks Special Projects©
SchoolWorks clients often have very unique consulting needs. SchoolWorks
meets these needs through it Special Projects. Special Projects are usually
intensive, focused engagements of approximately three months to a year
that result in a specific set of outcomes.
Benefits. State departments of education, districts,
charter school authorizers and educational service providers
turn to SchoolWorks Special Projects to complete critical tasks
quickly without having to reassign permanent staff away from their
current positions. Through its network of consultants, SchoolWorks
brings unique experience and knowledge that may not be available
internally.
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