Be the Change tells the remarkable story of an innovative public high school launched by dedicated teachers in East Palo Alto, California. The school's unique design, modeled after successful small schools in New York City offers authentic and engaging instruction in a personalized setting that has allowed students who start off far behind to graduate and go on to college in record numbers. Each chapter examines one of the critical elements the teachers found essential to enable student success: the creation of an academic culture, the development of high standards with high supports, and the process of learning to teach so that students can learn.

Filled with the deep knowledge of education leaders and a team of dedicated teachers, and guided throughout by the expertise of renowned educator Linda Darling-Hammond, this book will help improve student achievement in ALL schools.

This book features: a model for school success that includes advisories, inquiry learning, and capstone projects; valuable tools, including guidelines and policies, curriculum designs, student guidebooks, and performance rubrics; and real-world stories of how obstacles were overcome.