The Learning-Focused Schools Model has validated and made more systematic the things teachers have been doing. Prior to the training, teachers had somewhat of a piecemeal approach. It has helped teachers do things more explicitly and not just by chance. For our administrators it has provided a model for congruent planning times. It has reminded them of their role in supervising learning and monitoring the effective implementation of strategies by their teachers.

Karen Pinkham, Director of Staff Development
Madison-Oneida BOCES

Our school is 98% minority with almost 40% ESOL. We came off the "needs improvement" list this year for the first time ever,with an overall 10 point gain. But most important, our ESOL and special education students gained 20 points. ...And this was just our first year of implementation!

Cecelia Garcia, Principal
Nesbit Elementary School

We just started comparing the results of last year's CRCT scores with this year's results. It is amazing! I have attached a chart that shows you the dramatic results (click to see). The implementation of Learning-Focused Strategies and the unbelievable hard work of our wonderful staff have resulted in unprecedented improvement. It is so obvious that the collaboration between teachers and specialists and the sharing of content maps, key vocabulary, and LFS strategies make a huge difference in the learning process for our students. I am so proud and so thrilled for our students, our staff, and our community.

Mary Ann Lasseter, Instructional Lead Teacher
Dowell Elementary School

I wanted to tell you that our Learning-Focused training was EXCELLENT! Our teachers are excited about the doors that this is going to open for them. We had 100% buy in and enthusiasm for the program. We almost can't wait for school to start! Thanks again for allowing us as a private school to adopt this wonderful program. I plan to be the Learning-Focused model private school in our area!

Albert LaBoy, Headmaster
Trinity Chapel Academy

At the district level, the Learning-Focused Schools Model has forced us to think differently about the delivery of instruction. Prior to LFS, we were looking at teacher performance and not paying an awful lot of attention to student learning. Now, we are totally focused on student learning. Our teachers are planning for learning, and our test scores have out-paced the state for the first time ever. The Learning-Focused Schools Model has given us the model to achieve exemplary status.

Thomas M. Richardson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Walton County Schools

Implementing the Learning-Focused Schools Model K-12 in Meriwether County is an on-going process, a work in progress, but as we enter our fourth year we are realizing the tremendous benefits of teaching with a focus on increasing student learning. Our students live in rural, low socio-economic communities, our schools have high populations of minority and special education students, and our students come to us with great challenges in language and vocabulary development. Since we began designing our curriculum and teaching within the framework of Learning-Focused instructional strategies, we have seen our students make tremendous gains in learning as evidenced by their performance on state-mandated assessments. We share a common language for learning, and we are becoming more and more professional, reflective practitioners of both the art and the science of teaching. Our goal has changed, from aiming to teach what is required, to ensuring that all students learn to the greatest possible degree and at the highest possible level. Learning, not teaching, is the issue, and LFS has helped us effectively change our focus.

Martha Ann Todd, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent (Learning-Focused Schools Coordinator)
Meriwether County Schools

Learning-Focused instructional strategies implementation has helped our special education and regular classroom teachers to begin working together as a more cohesive unit. They are now teaching for a common goal with the same high expectations for all. These strategies have certainly made a big difference in our special education students' CRCT scores. Preview and acceleration strategies, especially, have served as a vehicle for special education teachers to move beyond remediation.

Lori Garrett, Special Education Director
Meriwether County Schools

Learning-Focused Schools Project helped to bring about a stronger K-12 connection among all teachers. All teachers, regardless of their grade or subject area, are using similar language and similar instructional strategies. The Learning-Focused Strategies training helped our teachers modify their instruction to meet students' needs. It helped us to focus all aspects of what we do as a district on student learning. Teacher leaders (teacher trainers) have met with much acceptance and have served to help building administration improve student achievement and teacher performance. The Learning-Focused Schools Project created that laser-like focus on student learning.

Allan Thrush, Superintendent
Elizabethtown School District

First, the Learning-Focused Schools Model has proven to be an organizational tool for teachers to use as they design learning activities for students. Secondly, for students, it is an organizational tool, which helps them become mentally alert to organize thoughts and process information. Lastly, for administrators, it is a monitoring tool, which assists in keeping focused on student learning and achievement.

Brenda Hudson, Principal
Greenville High School