Scale-Up Project of MSDE in Partnership with New American Schools and the Education Commission of the States - A Perfect Fit for Maryland's "Schools for Success" Vision

1. What are New American Schools and the Education Commission of the States?

New American Schools (NAS) is a coalition created by the nation's leading educators and business leaders committed to improving achievement for all students by dramatically changing America's classrooms, schools, and school systems. The Education Commission of the States (ECS) is an organization set up to help governors, state legislators and state school officials develop policies that support quality education. ECS is working in partnership with NAS to disseminate the models nationally.

2. What is the "scale-up" project?

The "scale-up" project is a new effort to help make the seven NAS designs and other proven models available across the state of Maryland and nationwide. Not content with a few excellent schools in a few leading states, NAS is working to make high quality schools the norm throughout the country.

3. How was Maryland selected?

Maryland is one of two states and 8 districts nationally which are participating in the "scale-up" effort. NAS looked for states and local school districts that have made substantial investments of time and resources in reforming education and improving schools. NAS selected sites where there is a climate for continuing change and evidence of political and business support for school reform. The NAS designs provide outstanding models that fit perfectly with Maryland's Schools for Success vision, including the Maryland School Performance Program (MSPP), Goals 2000, Challenge School, Title I school-wide initiatives, and consolidated planning. The Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between NAS and Maryland included the support and signatures of Governor Glendening, State Superintendent for Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick, the leadership of the State Board of Education, Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA), Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE), House of Delegates, Senate of Maryland, ECS, and the Maryland Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc.

4. Maryland schools are already engaged in comprehensive school improvement efforts. What will these new designs contribute to the effort?

Yes, Maryland schools are working to improve their instructional programs for students. The latest school report cards show schools making steady progress toward the state's high education standards. School improvement is a continuous process and can involve changes in a school's organization, staffing, curriculum, instruction, and relations with parents and the community. The New American Schools designs provide hands-on assistance, support, and materials to help schools build their capacity to significantly raise the achievement of students. The assistance and support is organized around a comprehensive vision for change, which serves as a blueprint or "design" for schools as they go through the difficult process of strengthening their teaching and l earning environments. Each design is well-researched, tested, and refined. With the involvement of teachers and support of local education leaders, the designs are already proving effective in 38 participating Maryland schools.

5. What are the benefits of NAS Designs?

Student Achievement. Results from the designs indicate increased student progress, effective staff development, and community involvement. Diversity. The seven designs offer widely different approaches that take into account the personal and cultural differences of children and their communities. Expertise. The involvement of national experts is an integral part of the NAS process and the intensive staff development emphasis. Access. Strategies have already been developed for carrying out the components of each design and are readily available to schools within NAS jurisdictions. Networking. An immediate support system is available linking schools and communities across the nation. Technology. NAS schools will receive extensive technical assistance. Recognition. As one of only 2 states and 8 districts in the nation, Maryland schools will host visits by educators throughout the world and will be the site for various national education conferences that will offer the opportunity to view NAS designs at work in Maryland schools.

6. What local school systems will participate?

Two of the designs were developed in Maryland systems: The Atlas Communities in Prince George's County and Roots and Wings in St. Mary's County. Baltimore County is using Roots and Wings and Expeditionary Learning. Thirty-eight schools in Maryland are involved. Additional school systems have indicated an interest in participating and are exploring next steps.

7. How do schools implement a design?

% Participation is voluntary; schools decide if they want to participate. Principals, teachers, and other school staff of interested systems will receive information about all the designs. They can talk to Design Team members and staff from schools who have implemented that design. iscussions will continue at the school level to ensure that there is a "fit" between the design and the school. If the majority of the school staff wants to implement a design, planning begins.

8. What kind of assistance will be available to participating schools?

% The Design Team will work with each school to provide planning and help in getting new sites up and running with teacher inservice training and technical assistance over the 3-year implementation process. School system and MSDE staff will provide support and assistance as needed.

9. What are the NAS school designs and where are they in place?

ATLAS Communities - MD, ME, PA, TN, VA, WA Audrey Cohen College - AZ, CA, FL, MS, TN, WA Co-NECT Schools - AK, FL, IN, MA, OH, PA, TN Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound - CO, FL, GA, IA, MA, MD, ME, NY, OH, TN, TX, WA Modern Red Schoolhouse - AZ, FL, IL, IN, MA, MI, NY, PA, TN, TX National Alliance for Restructuring Education - AR, CA, IL, KY, NY, PA, WA Roots and Wings - AZ, CA, FL, IL, IN, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, TX, WA

10. How many schools will benefit from the effort?

NAS is currently supporting the implementation of the seven designs in over 550 schools across the country. Initially, NAS and ECS hope to see 30 percent of the schools in the participating districts become involved in the "scale-up" effort. Three Maryl and school systems are participating with many additional systems expected to join in the next years. Ultimately, all Maryland schools could benefit from the designs.