What do we mean by success?

• Success in schools means that students are learning.
• Success in schools means that more students are learning.
• Success in schools means that all students are learning.
• Success in schools means that all students are learning at higher levels.
• Success in schools means that all students are learning at the highest levels.

Success in schools can mean all of the above. When a school starts from a point where low-performing students outnumber high-performing students, it is success to be able to make the first statement — to know with confidence that students are learning.

Of course, all schools aim for higher benchmarks. In the U.S., improving schools are recognized in state accountability systems, and those schools celebrate their moves from underperforming up a ladder that they hope will take them to ever-higher levels of success. Ultimately, educators hope that all students will learn at high levels.

In this issue of JSD, we examine schools and school systems in a range of contexts and circumstances that have made great strides in taking student learning to higher levels. They start from different points — many are already high-performing and can point to years of sustained excellence. Regardless of where they start and where they end, we’re particularly interested in understanding the professional learning and leadership practices that were central to improvement.

While each success story is unique, in these pages you’ll see some common themes to help glean lessons for consideration in your own contexts and practices. Highlighted here are several themes. What others are important in your experience?