Research indicates that schools unusually effective in improving student achievement have a clear mission, outstanding leadership, high expectations for students, positive home–school relations, high time-on-task, frequent monitoring of students’ achievement, and an orderly, humane climate

Research indicates that schools unusually effective in improving student achievement have a clear mission, outstanding leadership, high expectations for students, positive home–school relations, high time-on-task, frequent monitoring of students’ achievement, and an orderly, humane climate. Research also has identified somewhat more specific characteristics such as curriculum alignment and schoolwide emphasis on higherorder skills. Regarding high schools, researchers have found that schools-within-a-school, career academies, and smaller units sometimes are effective.