The Edison School Design
The Edison School Design is the foundation that helps our partners to create, maintain, and enhance great schools and educational programs. It is the result of years of research and school management experience on all levels and is continually being improved to meet the changing needs of our partners. The Edison design is based on Ten Fundamental Elements:
- Schools Organized for Every Student’s Success
- A Rich and Challenging Curriculum
- Teaching Methods That Motivate
- Assessment That Provides Real Accountability
- A Partnership with Families
- A Professional Environment for Teachers
- Technology for an Information Age
- A Better Use of Time
- Schools Tailored to the Community
- The Advantages of System and Scale
SCHOOLS ORGANIZED FOR EVERY STUDENT'S SUCCESS
Each charter, district partnership, and many Alliance schools are organized into small, flexible schools-within-a-school, called academies. The students are then grouped into houses of approximately 100 students. Each house is taught by a team of four to six teachers who stays with the same group of students for the duration of their academy experience. This organization ensures that students are better known and more closely guided by adults.
A RICH AND CHALLENGING CURRICULUM
Edison has designed an absorbing curriculum that is built on classic liberal arts traditions but fully integrates the demands of the 21st century. Students focus on the essential academic disciplines, including: reading, writing, literature, mathematics through calculus, history, government, economics, the sciences, and social science. Students also enjoy an enriching program of fine arts, world language, health and fitness, and an emphasis on practical skills from technology to teamwork that are crucial to success in the workplace.
TEACHING METHODS THAT MOTIVATE
Edison provides teachers not only with the tools to teach, but also with the tools that help students to learn. This applies to all students, including those requiring special education services or learning English as a second language (ELL). Our teachers have the support of a variety of instructional programs, pedagogical methods, and intensive and intentional professional development.
ASSESSMENT THAT PROVIDES REAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Students in all our schools and programs take assessments mandated by the states in which they operate. Edison is strictly accountable for student performance on these assessments.
The Edison Benchmark Assessment System is used in all of our District Partnership, Charter, Alliance, and Tungsten Learning schools. It was specifically designed to measure monthly progress toward end-of-year-standards. These online, electronic assessments are written to reflect state standards. The Benchmark Assessments give teachers automatic, up-to-date information, and relevant feedback that help educators adjust instruction to meet individual student needs.
A PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILIES
Edison is committed to keeping families engaged in their children’s education, both at school and in the home. Our partnership schools and programs provide a variety of opportunities for parents to get involved in their children’s education.
A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR TEACHERS
Edison provides teachers with the career development, resources, and opportunities that talented professionals deserve. Teachers and administrators typically receive professional development and training before an Edison school or program first opens. Then, once school or a program begins, teachers have time set aside for their own professional development and ongoing training.
TECHNOLOGY FOR AN INFORMATION AGE
In Edison schools and some programs, technology is integrated with the educational program and used to facilitate instruction, assessment, productivity, communication, professional development, and management, as it is used in the real world. To support this integration, students, teachers, and administrators have easy access to classroom computers and other technologies, including The Common, Edison’s intranet and information system.
A BETTER USE OF TIME
Many Edison partnership schools provide a longer school day, but all Edison schools and programs offer more time for the basics; more time for small group and individualized instruction; more time for enrichment and hands-on experiences such as science experiments; and more time for the arts, world language, and other “specials” that often get squeezed out of the traditional schedule. Instructors benefit from more time for professional development and collaboration.
SCHOOLS TAILORED TO THE COMMUNITY
Edison partnership schools and programs are truly community based, building close and collaborative relationships with students’ families and with community organizations, groups, and institutions. Partnership school students regularly participate in community service programs and perform at community events. Edison schools and program curriculum is sensitive to the particular needs of different communities, in accordance with historic, geographic, and population diversity.
THE ADVANTAGES OF SYSTEM AND SCALE
Edison partnership schools make up a national network that allows individual schools to take advantage of 10+ years of school management experience and considerable research and development. This combination of experience, energy, and resources have allowed Edison to produce effective school programs, professional development supports, and achievement systems, including the Benchmark Assessment System, proven to help raise student achievement.