Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface
Acknowledgments
About The Author
1. Understanding the Performance Challenge
Pressure to Improve Performance
Analyzing State Student Test Data
Conducting Curriculum Standards Audits
Summary
2. Set Ambitious Goals
Beyond Motivational Theory
Beyond the Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations
Setting Very High Goals
Thinking Big Is Quintessentially American
Summary
3. Change the Curriculum Program and Create a New Instructional Vision
Adopting New Textbooks and Instructional Visions
Assessing Effectiveness of Curriculum and Instructional Approaches
Collaborative Work
Summary
4. Benchmark and Formative Assessments and Data-Based Decision Making
Overview of Benchmark and Formative Assessments
Benchmark and Formative Assessments in Montgomery County, Maryland
A Comment on Value-Added Measures
Summary
5. Provide Ongoing, Intensive Professional Development
The Features of Effective Professional Development
Examples of Professional Development Programs
Summary
6. Using Time Efficiently and Effectively
Extending the School Year and Day
Better Uses of Time
Summary
7. Extend Learning Time for Struggling Students
Some Contextual Points
Time During the Regular School Day
Time Outside the Regular School Day but Within the Regular School Year
Time Outside the Regular School Year
Summary
8. Collaborative Cultures and Distributed Leadership
A Collaborative School Culture
Structuring Collaborative Cultures
Distributed Leadership
Summary
9. Professional and Best Practices
Indicators of Acting Professionally
Not Doing It Alone
Summary
10. The Human Capital Side of Doubling Student Performance
Overview
First, Recruit Top Talent
Second, Develop Top Talent
Sometimes Initial Talent Turnover Is Required
Summary
11. Putting It All Together: The Dramatically Improving School
The 10 Core Elements of the Improving School
Summary
The Kennewick Approach to Dramatic Improvement
References