The document discusses a presentation given at an OSPI conference about the nine characteristics of high-performing schools. It analyzes data from the highest improving schools in Washington state and finds that schools displaying characteristics like clear focus, high standards, collaboration, and supportive learning environments tended to see greater gains in student achievement, particularly in reading and math. A specific example is provided of East Port Orchard Elementary, which improved student test scores as staff developed higher levels of organizational trust over time.

1. “ What is making a difference in the highest improving schools in the state?” OSPI January 2009 Conference Sue Mills Executive Director

4. “ The relationship among the adults in the schoolhouse has more impact on the quality and the character of the schoolhouse – and on the accomplishments of youngsters – than any other factor.” – Barth, 2001

5. Is there a relationship between the Nine Characteristics and student achievement?

9. Elementary Schools RMLI 2002-03

10. Elementary Schools RMLI 2008

11. Middle Schools RMLI 2002-03

12. Middle Schools RMLI 2008

13. High Schools RMLI 2002-03

14. High Schools RMLI 2008

15. Let’s look at a repeat winner . . . East Port Orchard Elem South Kitsap SD

16. Reading Achievement Lower than state 2 of 5 yrs Lower than district 4 of 5 yrs. Above state and district the last 2 years

18. Math Achievement Lower than state 4 of 5 years Lower than district 5 of 5 yrs Above state and district the last 2 years

19. 49% NOT meeting standard to 77% MEETING standard All Schools of Distinction accelerated Reading and . . .

21. . . . accelerated Math as well . 65% NOT meeting standard to 63% MEETING standard

22. What about the Nine Characteristics? Do they matter?

24. The following 6 slides were prepared by G. Sue Shannon, Ed.D. OSPI Senior Researcher August 2007

27. Relationships among characteristics

30. “ Culture influences everything that happens in a school – including student achievement” (Tony Wagner 2006)

31. This session will use EES perceptual data to quantify the presence of the Nine Characteristics in 48 of the most improving schools (top 5%) in the state of Washington

32. In addition – we will use EES data from the past 15 months as a comparison set – a representative sample of 322 WA public schools (16,937)

33. Where in this state? School of Distinction Winners WA Comparison Set

34. Job position of respondents WA Comparison Set School of Distinction Winners

35. What level of school? WA Comparison Set School of Distinction Winners

36. Sample elems v SOD elems

38. The next slides divide the SOD winners into 3 groups and contrast those 3 groups with each other as well as the comparison MDB group.

40. The 10,000 foot view

42. High Standards and Expectations

43. Collaboration and Communication

44. Supportive Learning Environment

45. Monitoring of Teaching and Learning

46. Focused Professional Development

47. Curriculum-Instruction-Assessment

49. Let’s come back to our example School of Distinction – East Port Orchard Elementary

50. East Port Orchard Elem 12-08

51. This is EPO’s data over time . . .

53. EPO’s Organizational Trust

54. EPO Trust In Comparison

57. An example – the impact of a PLC on the culture of a building