How leadership coaching helped a
school system see critical needs and
respond with confidence
About:
Founded in 2011, Distinctive Schools is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and educational practice leader committed to social justice and access to high-quality education in all communities. Distinctive serves more than 4,500 students across nine schools in Chicago and greater Detroit.
Challenge:
In the wake of pandemic disruptions and interrupted learning, organizational and school leaders throughout Distinctive recognized the need for a reset—something to realign and reacquaint teachers and school leaders with their existing goals and structure around school culture and improvement.
View articleTopics: Leadership
Related Topics
Video
The Transformative 10 in action: A conversation between school leaders
Brian Amsler is the principal at Lincoln Middle School in Schiller Park School District in Illinois, where the NWEA Research Team first identified how these strategies work in concert to bring about grown. In this conversation, Brian speaks with Dr. David Collum, Data & Assessment Coordinator at Confluence Academies in St. Louis, MO about his efforts to put the Transformative Ten in action and the challenges to creating a high growth mindset.
Topics: Assessment, Education research, Instructional strategies, Leadership
Products: MAP Growth
eBook
Support all students with MTSS
MTSS is a framework for helping educators meet the diverse needs of learners. It relies heavily on assessment, a critical piece in the puzzle of understanding where kids are in their learning. In this collection of posts from our blog, Teach. Learn. Grow., you can learn more about how to use MTSS effectively in your school or district.
Topics: Accessibility, Assessment, Equity, Leadership
Guide
6 proven ways to build a culture that leaves a legacy
Discover six strategies to help district leaders and educators build a culture that endures. You’ll learn about expanding leadership, championing goal-setting, leveraging AI, and more, alongside examples from districts that used each strategy and saw results.
Topics: Assessment, Insights & reports, Leadership, School improvement
Products: MAP Growth
Webinar
Building a data playbook: Action plans and protocols that drive growth
How do high-performing districts turn assessment data into measurable student growth? Watch this webinar to learn how West Feliciana Parish Schools used MAP® Growth™ data to build a proactive strategy that earned them the title of Louisiana’s top-ranked district.
Topics: Assessment, Insights & reports, Leadership
Products: MAP Growth
Article
Data Detectives: The Case of the Afternoon Underdogs
Grab your magnifying glass—this case follows a school leader’s investigation into a puzzling performance trend and how data helped uncover a hidden barrier to student success.
Topics: Assessment, Insights & reports, Leadership
Products: MAP Growth
Case Study
Inspiring excellence today to change the world tomorrow
Learn how Midlothian ISD uses MAP Growth data to set goals, build trust, and personalize instruction—helping more students meet growth targets and take ownership of their learning.
Topics: Assessment, Instructional strategies, Leadership
Products: MAP Growth
Guide
Beyond the Benchmark: How to Make Proficiency Stick for Every Learner
Some students reach proficiency—then lose it. This guide explores how school leaders can help teachers support newly proficient learners and turn short-term gains into lasting academic growth.
Topics: Assessment, Instructional strategies, Leadership
Products: MAP Growth, Personalized Path