Imagine a school'''

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Imagine a school...
In which all children achieve at high levels
regardless of their backgrounds where all
children are treated as gifted which builds on
their talents through enrichment strategies,
independent research, problem solving, science,
writing, music, and art a school in which all
members of the school community develop a vision
of their ideal school and work together to
achieve that dream.
Imagine a school where there are no limits to
success. That is an accelerated school.
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What makes a school accelerated?
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Rather each school community uses the Accelerated
Schools philosophy and process to determine its
own vision, understand its challenges and
collaboratively works to achieve its goals.
No single feature makes a school accelerated.
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Accelerated Schools Philosophy...

• To create the type of school for all children
  that we want for our own children.

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Accelerated Schools Process...

• The process is a systemic set of practices for
  getting from here to there.
• From a conventional school to an accelerated
  school - a school in which powerful learning
  experiences become daily occurrences that
  encompass the best things we know about children
  and learning.

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Accelerated Schools Process...

• Year 1 - Taking Stock, Forging a Shared Vision,
  Setting Priorities, and Powerful Learning I
• Year 2 and Beyond - Cadres use the Inquiry
  Process to develop action plans that address the
  priority challenge areas selected by the school
  and Powerful Learning II, III and beyond.

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Powerful Learning...
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Who delivers this training and professional
development?
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Training and Professional Development are
delivered via a Train the Trainer model

• Campus Leadership Team attends training sessions
  with the Southwest Center for Accelerated Schools
  (Principal, Internal Facilitators, External
  Coach form the leadership team)
• Year 1 - Leadership Team attends nine days of
  training in three sessions (5 days for initial
  training, 2 days for powerful learning, and 2
  days for inquiry) and delivers all training and
  professional development back at the campus.

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What is this about a grant?
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Improving Teaching and Learning / Comprehensive
School Reform Grant

• Federal grant administered by T.E.A.
• Three year grant designed to plant the seeds of
  improvement by selecting a school improvement
  model that the majority of the school community
  agrees to implement. (at least 80 buy-in)
• Grant awards are from 50,000 to 150,000 per
  year for three years.
• T.E.A. will select approximately 180 projects.
• Deadline is March 16. If selected, funding
  begins July 1, 2004.

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For successful implementation, you need...

• To believe in the Accelerated Schools philosophy
  and be willing to do whatever is necessary for
  all children to be successful.
• Flexibility
• Time - Time - Time to meet
• PATIENCEPERISISTENCEPASSION

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What is the Southwest Center for Accelerated
Schools?
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SW Center for Accelerated Schools...

• Accelerated Schools Project began in 1986 by Dr.
  Henry Levin, Stanford University.
• SW Center founded in 1996 by Bonnie Hamill,
  director
• University of Texas at Austin, College of
  Education Administration
• Worked with more than 100 schools.
• Results and additional information are available
  on the website
• www.swacceleratedschools.net