Since 2006, the Thomas W. Payzant School on the Move (SOM) Prize has been awarded annually to a Boston public school that has made significant progress in improving student achievement. This case study identifies the structures and strategies that best serve students in prizewinning schools and provides a profile of each of the four winning schools from 2006 to 2009. We also explore some of the opportunities and barriers the schools have faced in sustaining their success over time. A common case study methodology was employed, using school observations and interviews with school leaders, staff, and students. Findings reveal the importance of distributed leadership, data-driven instruction, and student-centered approaches to learning in achieving school success.
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