Institute for Strategic Leadership and Learning
Education Research and Policy Consulting
Areas Of Expertise
Accelerated District and School Improvement
Building upon an Improvement Framework and a research-based set of Practices for Accelerated Improvement, we specialize in working with states, districts, and individual schools to engage in strategic planning (e.g., root cause analysis, needs assessment) that include ambitious goals and specific leadership actions to drive accelerated improvement. We use in-person Strategy Sessions and Leadership Networks as mechanisms for accelerating learning and building the leadership capacity of individuals and organizations to support sustainable improvement. Because context matters, we customize our work to build upon the context, needs, and assets of our clients
System Design and Strategic Leadership
We work with thought leaders across the education system (states, districts, schools, and educational organizations) and incorporate systems thinking into the design of accountability systems, support systems, and policies that incentive the use and sharing of evidence-based best practices so that all students are able to thrive and succeed in school and through college and career. We focus on urban and high poverty locales, emphasizing strategies for closing achievement gaps. We incorporate Improvement Science methodology into our work, building the capacity of leaders and teachers to successfully design and implement solutions.
Evaluation and Policy Analysis
Evaluation and Policy Analysis
We conduct customized analysis and evaluations of state and federal education policies and regulations as they impact local improvement efforts, focusing on how policies are interpreted and enacted by individuals across the education system. Using our analysis as a starting point, we work with educational leaders to consider how to best construct, adapt, utilize and communicate education policies so as to create a productive policy environment that supports innovation and transformational change.