Family & Community Alternative Learning
Charter Schools Best Practices

Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School

Ten Common Principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools

Topics:	School Mission School Culture and Classroom Management Practices Instructional Practices Developing, refining, and documenting curricula Practices in Instructional Leadership Internal and/or external student assessment systems Using school-wide and individual student assessment data to inform curriculum and instruction Reform agendas: From Theory to Practice
Mission:	To move the child to the center of the education process and to interrelate the several subjects of the curriculum in such a way as to enhance their meaning for the child.
Goals:	1. to spread the philosophy of the Coalition of Essential Schools, 2. to assist new schools in implementing the Ten Common Principles 3. to facilitate change in existing schools.
Summary:	Ten Common Principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools. Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School is a lead school in the Coalition of Essential Schools. The school established the Theodore R. Sizer Teachers’ Center in 1994 to spread the philosophy of the Coalition of Essential Schools, to assist new schools in implementing the Ten Common Principles, and to facilitate change in existing schools. Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School works with educators from all over the region and the country to assist them in understanding the 10 Common Principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools and to design and implement practices in their own school settings based on Parker's experience as a lead Coalition of Essential Schools school. Through formal mentorships Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School works systemically, over a period of years, to help transform schools into Coalition Schools with programs that embody the 10 Principles. With visitors from neighboring and distant schools, the school designs customized educator workshops and custom visits that encourage practitioners to think deeply about a particular aspect of their school or practice they want to change. Faculty and staff at the school then facilitate one or more sessions geared towards supporting the change process.
Partner(s):
Dates:	01/01/1995 01/01/1996 01/01/1997 01/01/1998 01/01/1999 01/01/2001 01/01/2002 01/01/2003 01/01/2004 01/01/2005 01/01/2006 01/01/2007 01/01/2008
Contact:	Teri Schrader, Principal (teri@parker.org/ 978.772.3293)
Resources:	Customized Professional Development Sessions School Visit Program Workshops and Workshop Session Materials Contact the school for more information.
Federal Charter Schools Program Funds?	Yes

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