Program Level Change
No Excuses University and Turn Around Schools
"Have an Audacious Goal"
That's the advice brothers Damen and Dan Lopez have for educators. For instance, their goal is that every child should graduate from school ready to succeed in college. This "big hairy" idea led them to create No Excuses University and its related organization, Turn Around Schools.
They know first hand the impact a big dream can have on kids. As principal of Los Penasquitos Elementary in Poway, California, Damen led his school through a major transformation, empowering its teachers with real insight into students' learning using MAP.
"The data that Los Pen and schools within the Network obtain from NWEA assessments has really helped informed important decisions. One of the most important decisions we make as educators is helping our students set individual goals and MAP helps us do this for every student. This is the genius of MAP. It allows us to have data that drives instruction."
-Damen Lopez, Founder, No Excuses University and Turn Around Schools