The Case for District-Based Reform Leading, Building, and Sustaining School Improvement

The Case for District-Based Reform examines comprehensive school reform in one representative district. In 1999, under the superintendency of retired Air Force major John Fryer, the Duval County (Fla.) school system set out to improve every school in the district. Over the next five years, the district achieved stunning results that have drawn nationwide attention.

Supovitz uses the unfolding story of Duval County to develop a sophisticated and thoughtful analysis of the role of the school district in enacting large-scale reform. Drawing on interviews, surveys, and extensive first-hand observation, Supovitz chalks a vivid portrait. His book weaves together seamlessly the account of leadership and change in one district with an investigation of the larger questions associated with this particular approach to school reform.

The Case For District-Based Reform received the 2008 AERA District SIG Outstanding Research and Publication Award.

Citation:

Supovitz, J. (2006). The Case for District-Based Reform. Harvard Education Press