During my time at the Alliance, I got to know and greatly respect the work of ConnCAN, a nonprofit education research and advocacy organization in Connecticut. Led by Alex Johnston and Marc Porter Magee, the group was doing interesting analysis, getting great press, and, when necessary, taking on tough political fights to improve the achievement of under-served kids.
The excellent work continues with ConnCAN's "Success Stories." ????They've put together????3-minute videos on the state's 15 top "gap-busting" charters, magnets, and traditional public schools. Not only are the videos refreshing and encouraging, but you also get the clear sense of why the schools are succeeding. ????They share a set of critical characteristics that lead to improved student learning. ????It's fascinating to watch a couple videos and see how the same words and themes keep coming up:????high expectations, family, use of data, achievement, excellence, behavior, community, team, leadership, hard work.
Let me end with three quick points before sending you off to watch a couple of these clips before starting your day. ????
First, it can be done. ????There are plenty of great schools for low-income kids. ????No more excuses.
Second, we know more than ever before about the DNA of these schools. ????That means as we create new schools, we know what to embrace and what can be put on the back burner (I don't believe that these characteristics can simply be affixed to persistently failing schools, so that's why I focus on starting new schools).
Third--and I hope ConnCAN and other groups consider this--the exclusion of private and parochial schools breaks my heart. ????America's cities have too few great schools; it doesn't make sense to be selective about which of those we love. ????If you were to go into a high-performing inner-city Catholic, Lutheran, or Friends school, you'd see the same disadvantaged students and the same crucial school characteristics. ????We need advocacy organizations and public policies that support all great schools, no matter who runs them.
Kudos to ConnCAN. ????Keep it up.