Breakthrough Results in Education: Releasing the Potential of Your Students and Your School District

By Nathan Parker

Unlocking the Potential of Low Income StudentsThe long term effects of low family income and discrimination can be overcome.Turning around urban schools is my greatest passion and strength. During my five-year tenure as Superintendent of Schools in urban Orange, New Jersey, student achievement increased dramatically. Fourth grade state-mandated math proficiency increased from 50.8 percent to 85.9 percent. Language arts literacy proficiency increased from 62.3 percent to 82.6 percent. High School graduation rates also increased significantly. At the beginning of my tenure, a student entering Orange High School had a 52.4 percent chance of graduating. After serving 5 years, a student entering Orange High School had a more than 70 percent chance of graduating high school. There was also a decrease in the number of violent incidents, increased parent involvement, and greater success in programs such as the arts. For example, violent incidents declined from a high of 56 to a low of 11 per year. Furthermore, college acceptances and applications to competitive colleges increased. In my last year, one student was accepted into five Ivy League Colleges, and one student was accepted into The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. No one could remember the last time an Orange Public School student was accepted into an Ivy League School.My objective is to describe initiatives that increased student achievement and improved the entire school system. I will highlight four initiatives I believe made the difference: (1) board of education's commitment to raising student achievement, (2 the superintendent of schools Entry Plan, (3) creation of goals with broad support, and (4) close collaboration and networking with New Jersey state department officials.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1540772772
• ISBN13: 9781540772770
• Release Date: December 2016
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"