BTO SUCCESS STORY: SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, AIMS SCORES PROVIDE ENCOURAGING EVIDENCE OF PROGRAM IMPACT

The 2006 research study "Why Some Schools with Latino Children Beat the Odds … and Others Don't” showed that K-12 schools can successfully educate students under adverse circumstances by adopting the right attitude, plan and leadership model.

Since fall 2007, the Beat the Odds Institute has provided training, assistance and support to Arizona principals in applying the research findings in their schools. Early indicators suggest that the study’s six keys, or principles for success, are having a positive impact at these schools.

Improved Rates of Learning

Recently completed benchmark analyses of the first-year cohort’s AIMS reading and math scores indicate that some Beat the Odds School Partners have already shown encouraging evidence of improvement.

•	21% of schools showed a significantly larger improvement in AIMS math and reading scores in the 2007-2008 school year compared to their previous year’s change in scores.
•	A number of schools showed year-to-year improvements in reading and math that were significantly larger than their district’s improvement.

                                     

% of partner schools with AIMS  improvements larger than their district’s improvement	2007 AZ LEARNS Labels
50%	Underperforming or Failing to Meet the Academic Standards
56%	Performing

 

While one year of data from the pilot cohort of 25 schools does not provide conclusive results, it is an important first step. To become a Beat the Odds school requires three years of sustained growth in AIMS test score data, as well as full implementation of the six Beat the Odds principles, among other criteria.

Anecdotal Evidence

The program’s rapid expansion is another indicator of the Beat the Odds School Partners Program’s impact. The number of participating Maricopa County schools more than doubled from 25 to 59 in the program’s second year. In the coming school year (2009-2010), the program will expand beyond Maricopa County to include schools in Whiteriver and the Tucson area. More than 80 schools were enrolled as of June 30, and the number is growing.

Principals recently provided the following anecdotal evidence of the 2008-2009 program’s impact:

•	"The BTO strategies, philosophy and support helped me to bring about positive and enduring changes.”
•	"BTO helped me maintain my focus on learning. I believe that assisted in leading us to our A+ award."
•	"I have gained knowledge in just one year that might have taken me several years to attain. I am a better principal because of my experiences."
•	“Our commitment to monitoring best practices and upholding high expectations for students and teachers directly correlates to our increase in student achievement."
•	“Our conversations have definitely moved from what we can't control to what we can.”

For information about the 2009-2010 Beat the Odds School Partners Program, contact Beat the Odds Institute Director Marjorie Kaplan at (602) 496-1360 or Marjorie.Kaplan@asu.edu.