Organizing for Success: From Inequality to Quality

• In Event: Cultivating and Expanding Equitable Education Opportunity by Implementing Multicultural Research, Policy, and Practice

Abstract

Linda Darling-Hammond argues that today’s expectation that schools will enable all students–rather than just a small minority–to learn challenging knowledge and skills at high levels is a new mission for schools. To attain this new mission, schools must be reformed, and major changes must be made in school organizations and the systems in which they are embedded. In other words, a major redesign of schools must take place for them to attain this goal. Darling-Hammond details specific changes and innovations that are needed to transform and redesign schools so that students from all racial, ethnic, social-class, and language groups can reach high levels of academic achievement. These changes include constructing and implementing small units within schools, creating structures for personalization, and implementing intellectually challenging and relevant instruction. Redesigned and transformative schools will also be characterized by performance-based assessment and professional learning and collaboration among school faculty and leaders. Darling-Hammond also describes ways in which successful innovation can be supported and sustained.

Author

• Linda Darling-Hammond, Learning Policy Institute