Putting Students on a Path to College Success

Start Early, Expect Much and Use Common Sense

Tom Kingston is president of the Wilder Foundation (see Tom's bio)

Several years ago, the Wilder Foundation wrestled with the best way it could contribute to state-wide school reform efforts. Following a literature search for ideas, visiting exemplary schools in other states, and exploring many different models, we made three decisions:

• Start reform at the early grades when kids and families are eager to learn.
• Have extremely high expectations of student performance and family involvement.
• Use a simple, common sense model that is easily understood and readily implemented.

Achievement Plus was then created. The model was implemented in two public elementary schools among those with the state’s highest concentration of kids in poverty. In four years, these schools went from producing some of the District’s lowest performing test scores to approaching, and in some instances, exceeding the District average.

So what was the common sense model? We concentrated on three things:

• A Research-Based Curriculum. Most important was all teachers be aligned with and trained in a single curriculum that was proven successful. Faculty knew what was expected of them in teaching and the kids knew what was expected of them in learning.
• More time on task. An extended day curriculum beyond normal school hours was offered, providing low-performing students with more time on lessons.
• Remove Barriers to Learning. Special efforts were constantly made to address the problems faced by students and families at the early stages of learning difficulties.

Our experiences in this effort have convinced me that the elements of Achievement Plus could be incorporated in much of the K-12 educational experience and substantially contribute to putting more students on the path to college success.

---------------------------------------------------------
Please share your views on these questions: (posted by moderator)

• Do you think a standardized K-12 curriculum in Minnesota can help reduce the achievement gap?
• How can we minimize distractions and time away from instruction?
• What barriers to learning should we focus on?