Starting Fresh in Low-performing Schools:
A New Option for School District Leaders Under NCLB
National Association of Charter School Operators
2006

Abstract:


This report advocates “starting fresh” for chronically under-performing schools, detailing the reasons why this approach is more successful than making incremental changes. Starting fresh often involves the development of a charter school within a preexisting building, andthe total reversal of “business as usual.” According to this report, starting fresh allows the district to define clear expectations for performance, empowers school leaders to act, allows schools to create a school culture that works, gets needed talent into the right schools and classrooms, satisfies and engages parents, and keeps parents in district schools. Specific schools and districts are profiled.