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School & District Management Opinion

An Inside Look at School Improvement (Perspectives)

A principal, an assistant principal, two instructional coaches, and a teacher at one school go deep on continuous improvement

Continuous improvement—a feedback loop that helps groups of people set goals, identify ways to improve, and evaluate change—has been gaining in popularity as a framework for school improvement in recent years. And it’s a model that Ron Myers, the principal at Byron Nelson High School in a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, turned to in 2015. With the support of two instructional coaches and an assistant principal, Myers empowered his educators with instructional decision-making. In this special Commentary project, one school goes deep into the difficulties and the benefits of implementing the continuous-improvement model. Through a tight-knit web of collaboration (visualized below), they have been able to offer each other feedback and support in this work.

Instructional Coach Diane Caldwell (center) meets with the school's biology professional learning community.
Instructional Coach Diane Caldwell (center) meets with the school's biology professional learning community.
Brandon Thibodeaux for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion A School-Improvement Guidebook: Cultivate Trust
Teachers benefit from feedback and support that isn’t tied to professional evaluations, writes instructional coach Diane Caldwell.
Diane Caldwell, June 11, 2018
4 min read
To establish a culture of continuous improvement, teachers need the space to take risks
Assistant Principal Maggie Norris tackles paperwork at her desk.
Brandon Thibodeaux for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion A School-Improvement Guidebook: Build Partnerships
To establish a culture of continuous improvement, teachers need the space to be vulnerable, explains assistant principal Maggie Norris.
Maggie Norris, June 11, 2018
5 min read
With her PLC and an instructional coach, one teacher can “focus on making things better”
Biology teacher Emily Moyes works with students in her classroom.
Brandon Thibodeaux for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion A School-Improvement Guidebook: Embrace Honest Feedback
Emily Moyes reflects on how working with a trusted PLC and instructional coach has helped her become a better teacher.
Emily Moyes, June 11, 2018
4 min read
Diane Caldwell (right) and Sarah Menn (left) consult with the school's principal, Ron Myers, in his office.
Diane Caldwell (right) and Sarah Menn (left) consult with the school's principal, Ron Myers, in his office.
Brandon Thibodeaux for Education Week
Professional Development Opinion A School-Improvement Guidebook: Empower Teachers
How can a busy principal find time to launch an innovative continuous-improvement model? Ron Myers shares his experience.
Ron Myers, June 11, 2018
5 min read
How a new instructional coach found her footing
Instructional coaches Sarah Menn (left) and Diane Caldwell (right) consult with one another in Menn's office.
Brandon Thibodeaux for Education Week
Student Well-Being Opinion A School-Improvement Guidebook: Ask for Help
Switching from the classroom to instructional coaching doesn’t happen overnight. Sarah Menn explains how she found her footing.
Sarah Menn, June 11, 2018
4 min read

Coverage of continuous-improvement strategies in education is supported in part by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at g. Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.