But I also saw significant and telling differences. In the high-performing schools . . . Adults believe in children's capacity to learn at high levels. They believe that every student can achieve, and they do whatever it takes to make that happen. Student work is on display everywhere.
Principals are almost relentless in their focus on instruction.
They monitor teacher and student work on a regular basis. They do whatever it takes to support the instructional needs in the schools. I saw very few textbooks in use as the primary source of instruction. Students know what they need to do to get to proficiency. They are extremely articulate as they analyze their work.