"If we always do what we’ve always done, we’ll always get what we’ve always got."
Whether a school has been identified as “Underperforming” or not is irrelevant, schools must embrace change and growth if they are to meet the challenges of today’s world. Districts are bombarded with the questions and fears of the school staffs, and must respond proactively to prevent further performance issues.
The requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) involve constant, data-driven analysis of student achievement and school improvement. Classrooms must choose and implement programs based on empiracle data, and monitor students' progress using statistical data. Faculty needs to collaborate and communicate in order to optimize the time they spend in the classroom.
Each of the programs and services provided by EdSmart combine research findings and best practices in ways that make sense to the stakeholders and are tailored to the school’s culture and the culture of the community. By retaining ownership of the process and product, the faculty maintains the sense of empowerment; it is they who make the choices and set the course.
EdSmart facilitates change; we do not impose any paradigm or program. Furthermore, the support aspects of EdSmart’s programs ensure accountability and adherence to the choices that have been made. EdSmart can assist the site administration to assess programs and leverage the accountability to hold staff to the choices when the initial excitement has passed. It is during the secondary phase of implementation when support and reinforcement are paramount; else the initiative dies from a lack of energy.
EdSmart's president, Elaine McDonald is recognized as an NCLB External Facilitator for the Arizona School Improvement Process.