5-FACTOR THEORY OF EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS

What makes an Effective School?

Factor 1: Strong Leadership

Students show the greatest achievement in schools in which principals: Articulate a clear school mission Are a visible presence in classrooms and hallways Hold high expectations for teachers and students Spend a major portion of the day working with

teachers to improve instruction Are actively involved in diagnosing instructional

problems Create a positive school climate

Factor 2: A Clear School Mission

Successful principals can articulate a specific school mission and stress innovation and improvement

Less effective principals are vague about their goals

Teachers and parents need to be aware of the common goal so that they school community functions collaboratively instead of individually

Factor 3: A Safe and Orderly Climate

An unsafe school is ineffectiveSchools are safer today then they ever have

beenSafe schools focus on academic achievement

and communication between administrators, teachers, parents, and the community

Respect is given to all participants Problems are identified quickly before they

turn violent

Factor 4: Monitoring Student Progress

It is important the students understand their progress

Allowing students to track their own progress with teacher feedback improves academic performance

Factor 5 – High Expectations

Self-fulfilling prophecyTeachers with high expectations will have

greater students progressStudents must be aware that the high

expectations exist in order for them to be effective