Identify, learn and use effective research-based teaching practices to meet the needs of each student
Using research and evidence to identify what practices work in improving students learning and organizing so that all students have access to these evidence based teaching practices.
Focus On Results helps schools and districts:
- Find best practices that may already be in use in a school or district and beyond.
- Prioritize which best-practice methods will be implemented, and ensure that they are aligned with a school's instructional focus.
- Meet the varying needs of a diverse student population by modifying best practices to suit different classroom environments.
- Ensure the best practices implemented promote rigorous, challenging work for students, setting high expectations for performance.
- Constantly evaluate and, if necessary, modify the best practice teaching methods to meet the changing needs of students from year to year.
Results we've achieved
Since the fall of 2001, Focus On Results has worked with the Edmonton (Canada) Public School System to improve its more than 200 schools. As part of this effort, we have helped the school system:
- Implement a district-wide targeted professional development plan for all principals and teachers, focused on increasing scores in literacy and mathematics skills.
- Re-focus its central office staffs around supporting teaching and learning.
- Achieve double-digit percentage growth in English and Math proficiency among students from grade 3 through grade 9, from 1999 to 2003.
- Increase the Edmonton Public Schools high school graduation rate from 60 percent to 69 percent in two years.