Beyond Theory: Practical Strategies Making a Difference in Schools

Tyrone Olverson, Dr. Catherine L. Barnes & Scott Taylor

Positively impact student learning with strategies your professional learning community can implement immediately


Beyond Theory shows you how to:
  • Develop a Continual Improvement Plan with clear learning objectives and goals
  • Schedule your school day, grading period and school year to make the most of instructional time
  • Provide focused topics for staff and professional learning community meetings
  • Collect and disaggregate data meaningful to the learning process
  • Create and maintain a school culture where everyone is on the same page

The Eight-Cylinder Reform Model (ECRM) is a collection of eight overarching concepts that when collectively put into motion will benefit all stakeholders in an educational community. ECRM puts theory into practical and realistic practice through shared experiences, real-life examples, templates and processes designed to advance overall school improvement. Tested across grade levels and varying demographics, the strategies and processes can be applied to any school setting.

The first year of using ECRM strategies allowed Scott Taylor’s Crestwood Elementary to go from 34% to 74% proficient in reading and 56% to 81% proficient in math and ultimately a National Blue Ribbon School.

Tyrone Olverson, Cathy Barnes and Scott Taylor collectively bring together over 75 years of classroom, supervisory and administrative experience in schools across the United States. Their track record for attaining high achievement across settings provides irrefutable proof their ECRM will improve student learning, build a sustainable culture of high performance, and create a strong and accountable environment within any classroom and school.

  • Discounted rates for multiple copies:
    • 1-4, $20 each, $3 shipping
    • 5 or more copies, free shipping
    • Contact Publisher for larger quantities, purchase orders, or special shipping
  • ISBN: 978-1-941799-01-7
  • 118 pgs — 7.5 x 9.25 in.
  • Publication Date: July 4, 2014
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Endorsements

What educators need today are practical tools and strategies that work within the larger theoretical framework they're already employing. 'Beyond Theory' provides just that."

— Derek Richey, former Director of Professional Services, HOPE Foundation

Dr. Catherine Barnes

Dr. Catherine Barnes is a Secondary Principal and Educational Consultant who received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of Florida, a Masters Degree from Jacksonville University and a Doctoral Degree from Nova Southeastern University. She has worked in education for over 20 years as a Secondary Teacher, Academic Coach, Assistant Principal and Principal, Leadership Program Facilitator, Certified Urban Leadership Mentor. She is also a graduate level instructor for Jacksonville University, a Schultz Center Fellow, an Academic Improvement and Leadership Innovation Consultant with Educational Excellence, and a School Accreditation Specialist with SACS/CASI. Dr. Barnes provides professional development throughout the country on various topics, serves on the Southeast Regional Planning Committee for the National Alliance of Black School Educators, is the current president of the Jacksonville Alliance of Black School Educators, and a proud member of Titus Harvest Dome Spectrum Church, E3 Business Group, National Alliance of Black School Educators, ASCD, Secondary Principal’s Association, Minorities in Leadership, Successful Sisters’ Society, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Scott Taylor

Scott Taylor is the former principal of Crestwood Elementary School in the Lindbergh Schools in St. Louis County, Missouri. Scott retired in July of 2013 after a 32 year career as a teacher and principal. He worked in urban, suburban and rural schools and at the high school, middle school and elementary school level. Under Scott’s direction, Crestwood made exceptional gains on state achievement tests. For nine years in a row, Crestwood was named to Missouri “Top 10” lists for high achievement. Crestwood’s subgroup scores also always rank among the highest in the state. In 2009 and 2011, Crestwood was named a Missouri “Gold Star School,” the highest honor given by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Crestwood is the only school in Missouri to receive this honor in both of these years. In 2011, Crestwood received the ultimate honor when they were named a United States Department of Education “National Blue Ribbon School.” Scott has presented workshops at the local, state and national level. He presented at the NAESP Convention in 2006, 2007 and 2008. In 2010, Scott presented at the National “Learning Forward” Conference. Scott shared the opening keynote address at the National Character Education Conference in Washington D.C. in November 2012. With the H.O.P.E. Foundation, Scott has presented in 19 states for thousands of educators.

Tyrone Olverson

Ty Olverson is superintendent of Finneytown Local School District in Ohio. He is a former curriculum director and principal in Licking Heights Local School District, also in Ohio. During his tenure, Licking Heights earned an A rating for Standards Met, Overall Value-Added, Gifted Value-Added, 4-year Graduation Rate, and 5-year Graduation Rate from the Ohio Department of Education. The high school also earned an Excellent rating from the Ohio Department of Education by increasing the Performance Index to 104 from 96 and meeting 12 of 12 indicators for the first time. During the 2006–07 school year, Waggoner Road received the Battelle for Kids SOAR Award for raising student achievement among seventh- and eighth-grade students.

A dynamic and insightful public speaker, Tyrone models strategies that engage audiences. His presentations feature practical solutions that can be utilized immediately in district, school, and classroom settings.