Focusing on Student Data and Community Involvement Are Keys for Local Schools that are “Beating the Odds”
This article originally appeared in the Michigan ASCD monthly online publication, The Source, in May 2011. Additional schools will be sharing their stories throughout the year.
There are real success stories in Michigan school buildings that are considered by some to have traditional barriers to academic achievement, the Michigan Department of Education reports.
Over 100 schools in Michigan are finding ways to overcome the identifiable risk factors to low student achievement, such as low economic status, race and ethnicity, or proficiency with the English language.
“These are schools that are doing remarkable things to help their students achieve, despite the odds being stacked against them,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. The Michigan Department of Education conducted two separate studies to identify schools that are “beating the odds.” One study identified 63 schools that are performing above their predicted levels,
