Over the summer we interviewed two dozen school and network leaders producing strong academic results and developing powerful young people. Considering their leadership stories, we found ten things in common:
- Good goals. Good schools have good goals; they use a variety of strategies to personalize learning supported by aligned supports, staffing, and schedule. Danville Kentucky is great example with goals focused on powerful learning experience, growth, global preparedness, communication, and community. Deeper learning will be a random occurrence without goals that make it a priority.
- Equity focus. Schools that promote deeper learning engage all students--not just honor students--in powerful learning experiences; they develop academic mindsets scaffolded by strong supports. According to principal Stephen Mahoney, "The accomplishments ofSpringfield Renaissance School's students prove that a child's zip code does not determine his or her destiny."
