Arizona schools facing the challenge of raising the achievement levels of Hispanic and low-income students might want to consider the findings of a recent study that looked at the key factors that contributed to improving performance in 12 predominantly Hispanic and low-income Arizona schools. Researchers compared these 12 schools to others similar in all but performance, looking for factors that led to academic success.

Six factors characterizing the 12 improved schools are:

1. a clear bottom line (establishing achievement levels for all students)
2. ongoing assessment (using data to track student performance)
3. leadership at the top, in the form of a strong and steady principal
4. problem solving via collaboration (e.g., effective work teams of teachers/consultants)
5. commitment to the chosen educational program
6. customized instruction and intervention for students

Read the complete report, “Why Some Schools With Latino Children Beat the Odds…and Others Don’t,” by the Center for the Future of Arizona and the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University, www.asu.edu/copp/morrison.