Why Not the Best Schools? : What We Have Learned From Outstanding Schools Around the World

Expectations have been raised in Australia and comparable countries for an education revolution that will secure success for all students in all settings. Such a revolution must ensure the alignment of educational outcomes, the skills required for a strong economy, and the needs of a harmonious society. Why not the Best Schools? offers a ten-point, ten-year plan for an education revolution that will result in the transformation of Australias schools. Expectations for an 'education revolution' have been raised in various countries that will secure success for all students in all settings. Such a revolution must ensure the alignment of educational outcomes, skills required for a strong economy, and the needs of a harmonious society. Why Not the Best Schools? goes beyond system characteristics to provide an in-depth account of how transformation occurs in schools. Fifty indicators are provided to help shape strategies for policy makers and practitioners in schools and school systems. Guidelines for leadership and governance ensure a future-focus for those who are determined to ensure that all students will succeed in the 21st century. This book draws on a five-year study culminating in the International Project to Frame the Transformation of Schools conducted in the U.S., Australia, China, England, Wales, and Finland. The findings are consistent with the McKinsey & Company report on the world's best performing school systems and those arising from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Programme for International Student Assessment. Why Not the Best Schools? also offers a ten-point, ten-year plan for an education revolution that will result in the transformation of schools. . Also available are Why Not the Best Schools? Case Studies, which are six booklets containing five case studies of successful schools in the U.S. (ISBN 9780864319951), Australia (ISBN 9780864319791), China (ISBN 9780864319876), England (ISBN 9780864318121), Wales (ISBN 9780864319715), and Finland (ISBN 9780864318046). Each school is examined in detail and the elements that have contributed to success are explored and conclusions are drawn. Each booklet supplements Why Not the Best Schools? Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Abbreviations and acronyms......Page 11 Why settle for less than the best?......Page 12 Learning from the best......Page 30 The quality of schools will never exceed the quality of their staff......Page 48 The support of the entire community......Page 70 Affairs of the spirit......Page 94 More money is not enough......Page 111 Breakthrough in governance......Page 130 Breakthrough in transformation......Page 149 Strategies for an education revolution......Page 170 References......Page 184 Appendix 1......Page 194 Appendix 2......Page 200 Index......Page 203 Expectations have been raised in Australia and comparable countries for an 'education revolution' that will secure success for all students in all settings. Such a revolution must ensure the alignment of educational outcomes, the skills required for a strong economy, and the needs of a harmonious society. Why not the Best Schools? offers a ten-point, ten-year strategy that will ensure that, when all is said and done, people will look back and say a revolution has occurred and all schools can be fairly described as 'best schools' "Why not the best schools is drawn from a major research project undertaken by Brian Caldwell and Jessica Harris involving studies of successful schools in six countries (Finland, Wales, Australia, USA, China, England). It compares a total of 30 schools and examines the conditions necessary for schools anywhere to improve and attain high standard for students"--Publisher's website. "Why not the best schools is drawn from a major research project undertaken by Brain Caldwell and Jessica Harris involving studies of successful schools in six countries (Finland, Wales, Australia, USA, China, England). It compares a total of 30 schools and examines the conditions necessary for schools anywhere to improve and attain high standard for students."--Publisher's website