Leadership is collaborative, and governance is focused on broad issues that affect student learning. Students learn about other cultures, respect and honor diversity and see the world as an extended neighborhood. Schools promote creativity and teamwork at all levels, and teachers help students turn information into knowledge and knowledge into wisdom. Assessment of student progress is more performance based, taking into account students' individual talents, abilities and aspirations. A student-centered, collaboratively developed vision provides power and focus for education communitywide.
Continuous improvement is a driving force in every school and school system.
Schools are the crossroads and central convening point of the community. The explosion of computer and other technologies undergirds many of the characteristics, with the study's goal to capture the technology for the benefit of student, teacher and school community. The study predicts that simulations and other technologically driven learning tools soon will become commonplace in schools. A Council of 21 leaders in business, education, government and other fields led the study. A follow-up survey required the Council to place the items in priority order and gauge potential impact on student learning.