To the Editor – New York Times:
What makes for a successful urban secondary school? In a recent study I co-wrote, conducted by Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth, we found that size or type of urban secondary school organization — public, charter, privately run — didn’t really matter for success.
What mattered was whether four factors that support student learning, professional growth and high expectations were in place in a school: a positive school culture; motivational, academic and emotional support systems; efficient use of (or increased amounts of) time; and focused, rigorous, relevant, authentic and flexible instructional programs.
We believe that the key to successful urban secondary schools is to strengthen these four factors and to provide a problem-solving culture, adequate financial resources, leadership and district support.
Elliott Seif – The writer is an educational consultant and former professor of education at Temple University.
New York Times – October 1, 2010 – Read article online.