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Choosing Small: The Essential Guide to Successful High School Conversion

by Jay Feldman, M. Lisette López, Katherine G. Simon (Jossey-Bass, 2005)


“Choosing Small provides necessary lessons on high school ‘conversions,’ one of the most difficult reform efforts of our times.”
-Theodore R. Sizer, founder, Coalition of Essential Schools

“Anyone in a school leadership position who is trying to create high schools for the twenty-first century should read this book.”
-John Welch, superintendent, Highline Public Schools, Burien, Washington

Choosing Small offers those faced with the challenge of creating new small autonomous schools information for achieving the complex process of dividing large schools into small schools that are effective in educating all students. In this book, the Coalition of Essential Schools draws on its long-time experience in school design, plus research on completed school conversions, to provide strategic and practical guidance to educators who are either contemplating or undertaking a high school conversion process. To read the preface, click on the link below on download it here.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Michael Klonsky, Director, Small Schools Workshop, Chicago, Illinois

Preface

Part One. Toward a Common Purpose

  1. Education for the Information Age
  2. Leading the Process
  3. The District: Supporting Change and Working with Autonomies
  4. Stakeholder Engagement

    5. Part Two. Founding Autonomous, Interconnected Schools

  5. School Vision
  6. Transforming Instructional Practice
  7. Essentials of Small School Leadership
  8. Handling Electives, AP Classes, and Other Access Issues
  9. Sharing the Building

    10. Part Three. Transition Planning

  10. Roll-Out Plans for New Autonomous Small Schools
  11. Student Choice Options
  12. Teacher Assignment and Contractual Issues
  13. Concluding Thoughts

Appendix A: Profiled Organizations
Appendix B: Profiled Schools
Appendix C: Additional School Design Resources
Appendix D: Model Guidelines for Small Schools
References


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Page last updated: August 23, 2005