School Improvement

Closing Schools to Improve Student Achievement: What the Research and Researchers Say
School districts close schools for many appropriate reasons. However, school closure has now evolved into a school improvement strategy. This review of research suggests the measures used to determine which schools are to be closed are often flawed, and the effects of school closures as a school improvement strategy are often ineffective and harmful. (October 2012)

The AFT Center for School Improvement
This brochure describes AFT's Center for School Improvement project, formerly known as "Redesigning Schools To Raise Achievement (RSRA)." The Center for School Improvement builds capacity at the state, district, school, and classroom levels to improve student achievement by providing training for school teams; information on programs that work; technical support; district and school policy models; and opportunities to build partnerships. (March 2008)

Where We Stand: K-12 Literacy
This booklet contains the resolutions on Beginning Reading Instruction and Adolescent Literacy. Also included are a Q&A section, background information and additional reading. (April 2007)

Where We Stand: Redesigning Schools To Raise Achievement
This booklet contains the resolution on Redesigning Schools To Raise Achievement passed at the 1998 AFT convention. Also included are a Q&A section, background information and additional reading. (Revised August 2006)

Baltimore, Maryland: Labor-Management Partnership at Work
The Baltimore case study profiles efforts undertaken by labor and management to increase system capacity and the performance of the lowest performing schools in the district. By focusing on professional development for teachers, adopting successfully-proven reform models district-wide, and (when reconstitution hit the district) making every effort to keep the school within the jurisdiction of the district, Baltimore illustrates how system morale and student learning can be increased in measurable ways. (July 2003)

How to Get Foundation Funds
This brochure highlights the Foundation Center's "virtual classroom," which provides courses and tutorials on grant proposal writing, budgeting basics and more. The center also offers subscription-based directories of foundations and available grants.  (January 2003)