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Urban Leadership Development Academy
Redefinition of High School
Raising Achievement: Closing the Gap
Strategies for Closing the Achievement Gap
Early Childhood
Middle School
The Urban Education Network Leadership Development Academy is a Principalship Preparation Program offered by the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa's eight largest school districts, the Urban Education Network. The Academy is a challenging, fast-paced and a non-traditional performance-based program. Students do not earn credit or grades by seat time and paper and pencil tests, but rather by demonstration of knowledge and performances associated with the Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL). Students will be involved in problem-based learning, action research and an extensive practicum related to the context of their urban district. To participate interested staff of the UEN districts are encouraged to contact their Human Resource Director.
This 128 page comprehensive report is packaged to be as utilitarian as possible. It can function as a single, complete document or as twelve separate subsections, each directly relating to a specific priority area. Readers are encouraged to reference the extensive bibliographies, including Web sites, to access the breadth and depth of the topics under consideration. The content and bibliographies combined offer each school district thorough information and data that can and will serve them well. Even though the focus of this report is Iowa high schools, the information generated is applicable to high schools everywhere. An executive summary is also provided for your convenience.Please make this document work for you. The Urban Education Network of Iowa is pleased with this effort and wishes the very best to all who strive to expand the teaching and learning opportunities for Iowa high school students. If you would like or need additional information, please contact us.
The Steering Committee of the Urban Education Network of Iowa (UEN), has identified the issue "Raising Achievement: Closing the Gap" as its major focus for the 2002-2003 school year. This issue is a recognized nationwide problem, and we feel it is timely and appropriate for the UEN to address this significant issue. A study committee consisting of legislators, teachers and administrators representatives of the Iowa Department of Education and invited public agencies studied this issue from August through October, 2002. The report of their work will be on line February, 2003.
The following strategies are shared as a means for teachers and staff to help all students reach their academic potential. Some may be more applicable than others, but they all have value. The strategies should serve as a strong support system to all school districts buildings, teachers, students and community alike as they work together to help all students achieve success.
In 2002, the Urban Education Network of Iowa (UEN) in partnership with Charles Bruner, Director of Child and Family Policy Center organized an “Achievement Gap” study committee to examine trend data related to the growing achievement gap between poor and non-poor students, as well as between ethnic and racial groups. The UEN was aware that Iowa, like other states was experiencing significant achievement gaps between poor and non-poor students, between schools with high percentages and low percentages of poor students, and among different racial and ethnic groups. The charge of the committee was to review relevant data on the achievement gap in Iowa and develop an action plan and priorities in response to this examination. As part of their work, the committee also reviewed successful efforts in Iowa and across the country to close the gap.Through the work of the committee, the UEN determined that significant reductions in the achievement gap would require: school and community partnerships, a focus upon k-12 educational standards, and a comprehensive early care, health and education system for children birth to five. Such an early childhood system would ensure that all children have the opportunity to begin school “ready to learn.” The UEN of Iowa found that currently too many of Iowa’s children are entering school with untreated conditions affecting their physical well-being and motor development, social and emotional challenges, and a lack of language development and cognitive and general knowledge.
To address these issues, the UEN agreed to partner with the Iowa Empowerment Stakeholders and the Iowa Department of Health in their work under a Smart Start Technical Assistance grant and a Maternal and Child Health Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems planning grant to develop a single, comprehensive plan for an early childhood system.
As part of this system development work, the Early Childhood Iowa (the overall planning group) created a framework containing six vital components to oversee implementation of the system. Further development of the scope and work of the components is occurring through work groups formed for each:
*Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
*Quality Services and Programs
*Professional Development
*Accountability for Results
*Governance, Planning and Administration
*Resources and Funding
Following the advice of UEN Superintendents in 2004-2005, the Urban Education Network developed a series of seminars for middle school principals to take a closer look at some of the unique challenges of this level and effective ways to address them. Throughout both the state and nation, middle level education came under increasing scrutiny due to falling test scores and concern for creating developmentally responsive environments for early adolescent learners.Planning of the seminars included an examination of the current condition of Iowa urban level education, and presentations focused on information and perspectives to guide further conversation. Three seminars were held during which participates engaged in guided conversation relating to middle level education. (See middle school principals' attachments)
In the Spring of 2006, the publication, "Breaking Ranks in the Middle" was released and has become the focus of continued study by UEN middle level administrators during the 2006-07 school year.
Middle School Principals' Seminar/Power Points:
Learning Support Presentation - UEN2.25.05.ppt
Support for Middle School Teams.ppt
