NEA's Keys to Excellence: KEY 1

Shared Understanding and Commitment to High Goals

In high performing schools, all stakeholders including teachers, education support professional, administrators, parents and community representatives demonstrate shared understanding and commitment to high level outcomes for all students. The intellectual goals are clear and specific; they help to establish high expectations for all students and guide all actions that support high levels of student learning. The staff's collective commitment to the achievement of the goals also means they assume responsibility for the success of all the school's students, not just the students they teach.

Indicator 1: Shared goals for achievable educationoutcomes are clear and explicit
This indicator examines whether or not your school's goals include high-level, well-defined learning expectations for all students and high teaching standards. It also looks at school employee involvement in defining the goals that provide a sense of direction and support student learning as well.

Indicator 2: Teachers, administrators, and other school employees take responsibility for the achievement of challenging standards for all students.
This indicator examines whether the staff has a collective commitment to and takes responsibility for implementing high standards for all students.

Indicator 3: Curriculum is student-centered.
A major priority when developing a curriculum is consideration of students' interests and needs. This indicator encourages staff to examine whether the curriculum offers intellectual substance for all students to improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Indicator 4: School operates under the assumption that all students can learn.
The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher 2001, which explores educators' opinions about their school environment, found that teachers in heavily minority and low-income schools generally hold lower expectations for students than teachers in high-income schools. The survey also found that there is a gap in expectations between elementary and secondary school levels.

This indicator looks at members of the school staff -- their perceptions about and expectations for the academic success of all students.

Indicator 5: School district administrators support staff efforts and monitor progress toward achievement of goals.
This indicator explores the involvement of district administrators in your school improvement program.

Go to KEY 2.