We invite you to download some or all of our Topical Briefs for free. These publications have been written by a variety of researchers, practitioners and family members about specific practices that support inclusive schooling and culturally responsive practice. We write these Topical Briefs with three standards in mind:

(1) We strive to make these products authentic so that the ideas and illustrations that you read about can be applied in a variety of educational settings.

(2) You should find our Topical Briefs accessible. We work to make our language clear and precise. When possible, we translate our Briefs into a variety of languages.

(3) These Topical Briefs should help you link theories and practices so that you have framework for exploring or informing practice as well as examples of how the theory is translated into practice that is effective and produces learning results for students. All of our Topical Briefs are distillations of research, so all references are listed at the end if you want to read more about a particular topic.

Many school leaders, teacher educators, and technical assistance providers use our Topical Briefs to support professional learning in their work. These helpful publications are also available for purchasing for a minimal cost – around $5 per copy. Order your own glossy, durable booklets using our online order form.

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  Conducting Focus Groups to Develop a Comprehensive School Portrait

  Focus groups are an effective means of collecting qualitative information that can be used to guide improvement planning and efforts. This OnPoint describes the process of planning, carrying out, and using information gathered from focus groups for Building Leadership Teams.

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  On Time and How to Get More of It

  Today’s schools are striving to meet the challenges of systemic reform and school improvement. In the midst of such demands, however, teachers find themselves with more to do in the same amount of time, or even in less time, than they have had in the past. This OnPoint gives tips and suggestions for optimizing use of time in schools.

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  Principals of Inclusive Schools

  In this OnPoint, we discuss the role of principals in building a school’s capacity to serve all learners well and the strategies and resources that successful principals use to develop an inclusive learning community in urban schools.

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  Skilled Dialogue

  Skilled Dialogue© is a relational approach to communication and interactions that stems from the evidence-based premise that three qualities characterize cultural competence: respect, reciprocity, and responsiveness.

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  The Building Leadership Team

  A Building Leadership Team (BLT) is a school-based group of individuals who work to provide strong organizational process for school renewal and improvement. This OnPoint identifies who should be on the team, what effective decision making processes are, and how to address important topics in an inclusive format.

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  The School Improvement Process

  The School Improvement Process can help school communities to develop an information system to guide the improvement of services to all students and their families. This process engages families and students in new roles as active participants and leaders in the process. Each page of this guide focuses on a different part of the School Improvement Process. You’ll find ideas about how to gather and use information to set your focus areas and action cycles.