IALA

A promising development in offering a choice of diverse school models by districts could be promoted by a “portfolio of schools.” The portfolio or an array of school choices could include conventional schools, of course, but also offer parents and students online learning, magnet schools (health careers emphasis, for example), charter schools, a Montessori school, a high technology model, etc. Paul Hill promotes this approach in a 19 page Report, Put Learning First published by the Progressive Policy Institute. Hill describes how a district would change its administration, training, accountability and other practices to implement the approach. Already, a number of districts have a good start on this concept. Education Week has a good summary article, “Portfolio Idea Gaining Favor in Some Cities.”