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A high reliability school, by definition, monitors the effectiveness of critical factors within the system and immediately takes action to contain the negative effect of any errors that occur.
A Handbook for High Reliability Schools
Cedar Rapids Community School District implements Dr. Robert Marzano, et al.’s research of High Reliability Schools as a district and school improvement framework. The framework consists of five levels of operation:
- Level 1—Safe and Collaborative Culture
- We aim to “not leave the culture up to chance or happenstance. Rather, leaders in an HRS strive to ensure the organization fosters shared beliefs, behaviors, and norm to at least three areas: (1) safety, (2) support, and (3) collaboration,” (Marzano, Leading a High Reliability School)
- Level 2—Effective Teaching in Every Classroom
- We aspire to “guarantee that quality teaching occurs in every classroom” by “developing and maintaining effective instruction in every classroom.” (Marzano, A Handbook for High Reliability Schools: The Next Steps to School Reform)
- Level 3—Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum
- We ensure that a guaranteed (what is taught) and viable (timeline for teaching) curriculum is focused on enhancing student learning, meaning “no matter who teaches a specific course or specific content at a certain grade level in a school, students should have the same opportunity to learn the same content.” (Marzano, Leading a High Reliability School)
- Level 4—Standards-Based Learning
- We are creating a “reporting system [that] identifies specific subject and grade-level topics as well as each student’s status on those topics” (Marzano, A Handbook for High Reliability Schools: The Next Steps to School Reform), meaning we communicate clearly what a student knows, understands, and is able to do in relation to the critical content of the course or class.
- Level 5—Competency-Based Education
- In the future, we hope to “address the extent to which a school matriculates students based on their demonstrated competence rather than the amount of time they have spent learning.” (Marzano, A Handbook for High Reliability Schools: The Next Steps to School Reform)
Currently, CRCSD is focusing on Levels 1-3 as a school improvement framework. We our proud of all our schools and their implementation, especially those who are certified in various levels.
Spring 2021 certifications
| School | Certification Level | Administrator at Time of Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Elementary School | Level 1 | Monica Frey |
| Jackson Elementary School | Level 2 | Nick Duffy |
| Harrison Elementary School | Level 2 | Trista Manternach |
Spring 2020 certifications
| School | Certification Level | Administrator at Time of Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Viola Gibson Elementary School | Level 1 | Denise Pape |
| Franklin Middle School | Level 1 | Lucas Ptacek |
| Cedar River Academy | Level 1 | Andrea Scott |
| Erskine Elementary School | Level 1 | Annette Zimmermann |
| Coolidge Elementary School | Level 2 | Greg O’Connell |
| Arthur Elementary School | Level 1 | Jennifer Nurre |
| Johnson STEAM Academy | Level 1 | Candace Lynch |
| Grant Wood Elementary School | Level 1 | Cindy Stock |
| Truman Elementary School | Level 2 | Tammi Kuba |
| Hoover Community School | Level 1 | Clint Stone |
| Garfield Elementary School | Level 2 | Joy Long |
| Van Buren Elementary School | Level 2 | Amy Evans |
| McKinley STEAM Academy | Level 1 | Jason Martinez |
Fall 2019 certifications
| School | Certification Level | Administrator at Time of Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Nixon Elementary School | Level 1 | Jennifer Goebel |
| Harrison Elementary School | Level 1 | Trista Manternach |
| Taft Middle School | Level 1 | Gary Hatfield |
| Pierce Elementary School | Level 1 | Kathleen Ziegler |
Spring 2019 certifications
| School | Certification Level | Administrator at Time of Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Hiawatha Elementary School | Level 1 | Stephen Probert |
| Madison Elementary School | Level 1 | Jim Girdner |
| Van Buren Elementary School | Level 1 | Kent Ryan |
| Garfield Elementary School | Level 1 | Joy Long |
| Coolidge Elementary School | Level 1 | Greg O’Connell |
| Truman Elementary School | Level 1 | Tammi Kuba |
| Harding Middle School | Level 1 | Linda Reysack |
| Kenwood Leadership Academy | Level 1 | David Brandon |
| Jackson Elementary School | Level 1 | Nick Duffy |
Future Moodle certifications
| School | Certification Level | Administrator at Time of Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Elementary School | Level 1 | Condra Allen |
| Wright Elementary School | Level 1 | Brian Krob |
| Kenwood Leadership Academy | Level 2 | David Brandon |
| Pierce Elementary School | Level 2 | Kathleen Ziegler |
| Viola Gibson Elementary School | Level 2 | Denise Pape |
| Harrison Elementary School | Level 3 | Trista Manternach |
| Truman Elementary School | Level 3 | Tammi Kuba |
| McKinley STEAM Academy | Level 2 | Jason Martinez |