Gina Ikemoto

This work analyzes three urban school districts' efforts to improve the instructional quality and performance of their schools, and assesses the contribution to those efforts made by an intermediary organization, the Institute for Learning. It analyzes three urban districts' efforts to improve the instructional quality and performance of their schools and assesses the contribution to those efforts made by an intermediary organization, the Institute for Learning. The authors identify constraints and enablers of district success, assess the nature and effect of district-intermediary partnerships, and make recommendations for districts undertaking similar instructional reforms.

How has the Collaborating for Education Reform Initiative fared at the sites that have adopted it? 450-character abstract: The Ford Foundation developed the Col aborating for Education Reform Initiative, providing grants to collaboratives in urban settings to improve the quality of teaching. Eight sites signed on, and the Rand Corporation assessed their progress. The authors found that, while none had met final goals, the collaboratives had varying degrees of success and some offered promise. By adopting such techniques as clear communication of expectations and involvement of school staff, collabo ratives stand a better chance of success.