Good News for School Leaders
Research Compiled by the
Educational Research Service and
Presented by Dr. John Draper 

For decades elected officials, business leaders, the general public, parents, and even school employees have been fed a steady diet of warnings about "declining schools". In this presentation former Educational Research Service CEO, Dr. John Draper, steps back from the rhetoric and looks at the reality of what is really happening across America. He identifies some of the Talk, the Truth and the Crucial Conversations that refute the urban myth of failing public schools.

Teachers, support personnel, and communities look to school leaders to provide information and direction for the conversations to improve public schools. What is the truth concerning drop-outs, achievement gap, pay-for-performance, charter schools, SAT scores, and international testing? This presentation will teach educators the TLC formula that will make them more effective with every audience.

In addition, Dr. Draper challenges all educators to commit to the Four Fundamentals of Public School Success:

1. Be positive-times are hard but we are doing the most important work of our nation. Negativity brings us all down-stop complaining!

2. Never criticize any fellow educator in public-doing so only provides false credibility to those who would undermine our schools.

3. Share one positive story each week-miracles happen every day in public schools. Stories convince without confrontation.

4. Honestly evaluate yourself each week and, if necessary, re-commit to sharing one positive story each week. Together we can change the way a community feels about our public schools.

The research is available in depth in the book Crucial Conversations About America's Schools, co-authored by Dr. Draper. The power point presentation will also be available to all attendees for personal use and adaptation with their own communities and