A Guide to Reinventing Schools

In 1994 a small school district in Alaska spread over 22,000 square miles decided to combat high turnover, low morale, negligible parent support, and substandard academic results with a comprehensive restructuring effort. Chugach School District abandoned the traditional calendar, curriculum, and system of credits in order to customize each student's education and allow each to progress at his or her own rate. Created by its teachers, parents, students, and community members, Chugach's performance-based, far-reaching approach to education provides real-world training through individualized instruction.

Supported by a significant expansion in staff development and curriculum focus, as well as measurable and demonstrable goals, Chugach reversed its course to become a national model for excellence. Within six years, the district's test scores ranked first for writing and third for math in Alaska. And in 2002 Chugach became one of the first two school districts to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. With only a two-person administration, Chugach was the smallest organization ever to win the Baldrige Award.

Learn about Chugach's model in A Guide to Reinventing Schools.

A Guide to Reinventing Schools

This 360-page guide outlines specific tools for implementing a system-wide change to a standards-based instructional model. Topics include: developing a balanced instructional model, writing standards and assessments, creating aligned reporting tools, screening and placing students, changing schedules, phasing in improvements, and implementing the model.

Both the complete guide and individual chapters are available from APQC. Purchase the entire guide from this page, or visit the chapter links below.

Also included in the complete guide are a design and delivery flowchart, a narrative, a glossary, process flowcharts, references, and documents to reproduce. See examples of assessments, evaluations, schedules, reporting tools, scoring guides, credit standards, surveys, data management plans, instructional programs, and more.