Several on-the-ground support systems are already transforming the 58 small schools that opened across Ohio in summer of 2004. Following are just a sample of the projects guiding the transformation of Ohio's public school system:

• Statewide Leadership Institute — Led by nationally-recognized educator and author George Wood, the Leadership Institute uses face-to-face meetings and Web-based extranet applications to maintain connections among the schools and districts involved in the Transformation. Special attention is focused on development of emerging new small schools leaders.
• Onsite Coaching — Professionals from across the country who are experienced in developing and implementing new and redesigned small high schools are providing hands-on coaching in leadership, teaching, and learning to school and district teams. The goal is to build capacity within the schools to sustain the improvement process beyond the life of the grant.
• Community Engagement — With special training and support from the Foundation, nonprofit organizations chosen as "Centers of Strength" by the local districts help involve parents and the community in the planning and design of small high schools.
• Literacy — Led by our Foundation, the Transformation's Literacy Plan seeks to improve adolescent student literacy, specifically students' ability to read, write, speak, and listen, by providing technical assistance to schools and professional development to teachers.
• Student Engagement — To prevent lack of communication and isolation between teachers and students, the Transformation's Student Leadership Development Plan creates meaningful opportunities for students to participate in school processes with teachers, including school governance and classroom construction. Ideally, students develop the tools they need to become stronger leaders, decision-makers, and citizens-both in their classrooms and in larger society.
• Critical Friends — The purpose of the Critical Friends Group (CFG) is to provide teachers with professional development that leads to improved student learning. Made up of volunteer staff and faculty members each small school, Critical Friends Group is led by a trained faculty coach.

Learn more about Ohio's small school openings and what students are saying about small schools at Small Schools…Big Results.