Visionary Middle Schools: Signature Practices and the Power of Local Invention

Take an up-close look at inclusive urban schools that work. This important new book addresses head-on the critical national concern of educating an ever-more diverse student population. Visionary Middle Schools describes how three schools developed unique local solutions that were responsive to their particular students, to their cultures, and to their district and state mandates. Each school is organized around a different school-wide instructional practice―a “signature practice”―that reflects that school’s particular beliefs about learning. Despite obstacles such as poverty, low English-language proficiency, and new immigrant status, each of these schools is the strongest performing in their respective districts and presents approaches and lessons of relevance to urban schools across the country.

• Introduces the concept of “signature practices” in schools and provides working models of what is possible for urban education.
• Demonstrates how school-wide, culturally responsive practices were created in schools where all members of the faculty shared a sense of moral imperative.
• Brings together classroom instruction, organizational structures, and leadership, showing how they can work together to achieve academic success for all students

Catherine Cobb Morocco is a senior scientist focused on school reform and literacy at Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), Newton, Massachusetts. Nancy Brigham is an education researcher and a consultant at Rosenblum Brigham Associates. Cynthia Mata Aguilar, also at EDC, has 30 years of experience working with teachers and principals in building inclusive literacy practices.