The Accelerated Schools Resource Guide

"Hopfenberg and Levin provide a pwerful resource for creatingschools grounded in community reflecton, inquiry, and the beliefthat all children can be smart. . .Here at last is a ?how-to' bookon school reform that helps educators confront the values, beleifs,and politics, as well as the practices, that make changing schoolsso difficult." -- Jeannie Oaks, professor of education, UCLA This resource is the first comprehensive guide to the innovativepractices of accelerated schools. It summarizes the lessons learnedby the project staff and the family of over 300 accelerated schoolsworking together during a seven-year period. It is designed to beused by a wide variety of participants for training, discussion,and guidance in the move to transform schools nationwide.

Prologue Introduction: A Guide to the Guide 1. Children in At-Risk Situations 2. What Are Accelerated Schools? 3. Getting Started 4. The Inquiry Process 5. Group Dynamics and Meeting Management 6. Creating Powerful Learning Experiences 7. The What of Powerful Learning: Developing MeaningfulCurricula 8. The How of Powerful Learning: Instructional Innovations andRediscoveries 9. The Context of Powerful Learning: Supportive OrganizationalElements 10. Family and Community Involvement 11. How Will I Know If My School Is Accelerating? AppAndix: The Inquiry Process: A Notekeeping Device