Two Nationally-acclaimed Former Superintendents Lead Effort to Support Effective School Transformation

Feb. 12, 2010 — PHOENIX — This week at the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Conference on Education in Phoenix, the nation’s superintendents have been issued a challenge to take back the reigns of educational leadership and to work collectively to set an ambitious course for education reform.

This challenge comes from two nationally-acclaimed educators with proven records of success, Dr. Manny Rivera and Dr. Rudy Crew. Both former AASA National Superintendents of the Year, they serve as CEO and president, respectively, for Global Partnership Schools. Drs. Rivera and Crew discussed the topic of educational leadership during a thought-provoking session at the AASA Conference, in which they outlined a comprehensive approach for systemic change in schools.

Dr. Rivera, who most recently served as deputy secretary of education in New York State and superintendent of the Rochester Public School District, said, “Educators today are faced with the challenge of competition from abroad, and we have an opportunity to revitalize and reform our education system. The depth and breadth of knowledge that our schools leaders possess is our competitive edge.”

Dr. Rudy Crew, who previously served as Chancellor of New York City Schools and Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, compared the challenge of educational reform to the “Space Race” in the 1960s—bringing together the best and brightest to reach a common goal.

“If we don’t take this opportunity to work together, the ‘Race to the Top’ will mean nothing more than an escape from the bottom,” said Crew. “We must take back the reigns and use our knowledge and experience to set the course for success—and not rely on Washington to provide the solutions.”

Drs. Rivera and Crew are leading the effort for educational reform by bringing together schools and communities through their work at Global Partnership Schools. The company works with districts and schools in seven states, offering four main services: District & School Services, Graduation Advancement, Parental Engagement, and Extended Learning Opportunities.

District & School Services provides a set of structures and tools that support highly effective teaching and learning. Global Partnership Schools deploys an experienced team of education experts, curriculum advisors and leadership coaches to work with principals and teachers to simultaneously transform practice and improve results. The process begins with a hands-on school analysis and planning session, followed by intensive training on peer-to-peer observation, leadership, content, and instructional practices, as well as tactics for supporting critical populations such as English language learners. The program also offers just-in-time curriculum modules to tackle the most pressing needs of students, tools and strategies to foster greater parental and community engagement, and a technology platform that strengthens teacher collaboration and planning.

The Graduation Advancement program focuses on the many students who have slipped through the cracks and became disengaged when they found learning in the traditional classroom monotonous and unrelated to their world. Global Partnership Schools has designed a rigorous, research-based academic program that engages over-aged, under-credited students, helping them reach their personal goals, attain a high school diploma, and move on to a meaningful career or post-secondary education. The program’s engaging curriculum blends classroom instruction with online and virtual learning, while career exploration and job readiness training prepares students to be productive through an onsite work internship hosted by community business partners. In addition, a comprehensive and intensive youth development component provides academic advisory and mentoring support, serving as an interface with parents/guardians and community services.

The Parental Engagement program is built on the understanding that parent involvement is the heart of student success. Global Partnership Schools has developed strategies to engage parents as full partners in their children’s education with this simple goal: Empower parents to be effective advocates for their children through information-sharing, skill-building, and personal development. The Parental Engagement Program, based on the model developed and successfully implemented by Dr. Crew in Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Sacramento Independent School District, works with school and community leaders to implement workshops, family learning events, and outreach efforts that have been proven to increase student achievement, school attendance, and graduation rates across the nation.

Global Partnership Schools’ Extended Learning Opportunities program provides students with enriching out-of-school time instruction, which educators agree can have a significant impact on academic success. The program provides a safe and caring environment where specially-trained and certified teachers deliver customized instruction in reading, writing and math. As an approved Supplemental Educational Services (SES) provider, Global Partnership Schools has developed this program to engage parents and teachers in an individual learning plan to support student success. In addition, the program offers technology components that tap into individual students passions and extend learning beyond the school day in a 24/7 environment.

“Our goals extend way beyond helping schools meet state standards,” said Crew. “Our mission is to help build an integrated, knowledge-rich global community in which students grow as learners and as individuals.”

About Global Partnership Schools
Global Partnership Schools is a new education company committed to connecting classrooms with communities and engaging all students in learning. Led by two former AASA National Superintendent of the Year winners, Manny Rivera (2006) and Rudy Crew (2008), with proven records of success in the nation’s largest school districts, Global Partnership Schools’ efforts are designed to link learning in a unique way and create educational environments that prepare all students to succeed in the global economy and society. To learn more about Global Partnership Schools, please visit www.gps.us.com or call 212-644-8619.

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