This presentation is based on the following principles: 1. The key accountability for schools is to improve student performance. 2. Teachers in the classroom (including those in hard-to-staff fields such as math and special education) and their instructional practice are the single most important factors that will lead to improved student performance. 3. Teacher compensation is the single biggest part of the education budget (often more than 60%). 4. Therefore, linking pay to teacher performance â instructional practice that produces student learning gains is the best way to expend money in a way that ultimately improves student performance. This book shows how the connections among those principles are playing. [Web, ed].

This book explores how can we shape “World-class University” in China from the perspectives of ideas, policies and efforts, specifically. It examines the essence and logic of creating world-class universities and disciplines and focuses on the construction of a number of universities and disciplines across a number of historical periods. The book also investigates the improvement of China's education, and the higher education needs to “face modernization, face the world, face the future”. It offers a broader vision to connect with the Chinese higher education system and the international higher education communities contextually.

Economics can be a lens for understanding the behavior of schools, districts, states, and nations in meeting education needs of their populaces, as well as for understanding the individual decisions made by administrators, teachers, and students. Insights from economics help decision makers at the state level understand how to raise and distribute funds for public schools in an equitable manner for both schools and taxpayers. Economics also can assist researchers in analyzing effects of school spending and teacher compensation on student outcomes. And economics can provide important insights into public debates on issues such as whether to offer vouchers for subsidizing student attendance at private schools. This two-volume encyclopedia contains over 300 entries by experts in the field that cover these issues and more. Features: This work of 2 volumes (in both print and electronic formats) contains 300-350 signed entries by significant figures in the field. Entries conclude with cross-references and suggestions for further readings to guide students to in-depth resources. Although organized in A-to-Z fashion, a thematic “Reader’s Guide” in the front matter groups related entries by topic. Also in the front matter, a chronology provides students with historical perspective on the development of education economics and finance as a field of study The entire work concludes with a Resources appendix and a comprehensive Index. In the electronic version, the index, Reader's Guide, and cross references combine to provide effective search-and-browse capabilities.

Strategic Management of Human Capital in Education offers a comprehensive and strategic approach to address what has become labeled as "talent and human capital." Grounded in extensive research and examples of leading edge districts, this book shows how the entire human resource system in schools—from recruitment, to selection/placement, induction, professional development, performance management and evaluation, compensation, and career progression—can be reformed and restructured to boost teacher and principal effectiveness in ways that dramatically improve instructional practice and student learning. Strategic Management of Human Capital in Education guides educators towards putting more effective teachers, teacher leaders, and principals in the country’s schools—especially in poverty-impacted urban and rural communities—equipping those teacher and principals with instructional and leadership expertise, and rewarding and retaining those who are successful in attaining these objectives. Drawing from cases, experiences, and deliberations from a national task force, this book outlines a comprehensive framework for how to transform current human resource management practices into authentic, strategic talent management systems in order to improve student achievement.

The go-to resource for school board members’ greatest challenges! For districts striving to improve student academic performance, professional learning at all levels can make a crucial difference. This invaluable guide addresses the top challenges experienced by nearly every school board, and shows how professional learning can assist in overcoming these challenges and support positive changes. Two influential education leaders—and experienced board trustees—present an approach that helps school board members form their own professional learning community and become a stronger, more productive team. Aligned with Learning Forward’s current Standards for Professional Learning (developed in collaboration with, and supported by, more than 18 national organizations, including the National School Boards Association), this resource enables board members to Learn from case studies focused on 12 critical board-level decisions, including hiring a new superintendent, resource allocation, compensation planning, and more Deepen your understanding of leadership and actions that advance school success and benefit the wider community Know when, where, and how to use professional learning to improve individual and systemic performance Benefit from best practices and tools developed to support effective decisions and successful implementation of major initiatives Turn to this resource to assist with your continuous improvement journey and achieve greater success for all schools! "School boards play a pivotal role in creating a climate of learning in a school system. This book offers practical advice to enable school boards to fulfill this critical aspect of their public leadership role. It is a road map for action and continuous improvement for every school board." —Thomas J. Gentzel, Executive Director National School Boards Association "This book is an excellent tool for the collaborative work of school boards and school personnel. The activities encourage the collaboration and conversation that support continuous improvement in education." —Lisa Casto, Director of Curriculum and Staff Development Allen ISD, TX

"In my work, I see the power of good schools to change young lives for the better almost every day. This book takes us behind the doors of unusually high-performing high-poverty schools to show us how they do it and where they get the funding. The book is a valuable tool for educators who want to improve their results and a reminder to parents and policy makers that we should never expect less." —Kati Haycock, President The Education Trust Radically reform your school and improve academic achievement using readily accessible resources! At a time when the United States is struggling with far-reaching educational reform, school leaders need a blueprint for dramatically improving student success and supporting those efforts by effectively reallocating and managing available resources. Doubling Student Performance combines the latest research with the authors′ national study of diverse schools that were able to significantly boost student achievement. Strategies focus on reducing class size, promoting professional development, locating necessary funding, and providing academic support to struggling students. School leaders will find: Examples and case studies that include high-minority and high-poverty schools 10 key strategies for dramatically increasing student achievement, such as setting ambitious goals and emphasizing a collaborative culture Clear steps and specific tools to successfully reallocate resources This book is a valuable tool for educators and policy makers who understand that reform is only possible when schools have the human and financial resources to do it.

"In this highly readable book, Allan Odden vividly illustrates many of the most important practices for creating strong professional communities. From the organization of time to the development of productive curriculum and instruction, school leaders will learn how to create a framework for school reform grounded in research and the wisdom of practice." —Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education Stanford University "Odden not only thinks big, he provides specific examples from real school districts to support his ten-step program. His systemic analysis of school district improvement and specific examples create a road map for the nation." —Jack D. Dale, Superintendent Fairfax County Public Schools, VA "Odden offers a sound program of ten steps school leaders can implement to significantly improve student academic achievement in their districts." —Daniel A. Domenech, Executive Director American Association of School Administrators A road map for school improvement with dramatic, measurable results! This companion book to Doubling Student Performance by Allan R. Odden and Sarah J. Archibald brings to life ten strategies for achieving significant, measurable gains in student performance. School and district leaders can use the examples, stories, and resources in this book to create a research-based school improvement plan. To guide educational leaders in their improvement work, the book: Focuses on issues over which schools and districts have control, such as setting ambitious goals, changing the curriculum, using data to make decisions, and using time effectively and efficiently Offers detailed case studies from real schools that provide clear steps and specific tools for putting the strategies into action Provides an entire chapter devoted to recruiting and developing top talent, especially for high-needs schools 10 Strategies for Doubling Student Performance helps educators drive substantial gains in student achievement and effectively use resources to invest in what works in education reform.