The Cornerstone of Change: Lessons from a School Reform Initiative

Abstract

Developed in 1999, the Cornerstone Literacy Initiative is a school-based reform initiative for low performing, high-poverty elementary schools. The reform aims to improve student literacy by providing intensive professional development to teachers over the course of the four-year implementation period. The goal is to change instructional practice, school leadership, and school culture using literacy as the vehicle. This paper draws on lessons from Cornerstone's experiences over the past eight years. It describes the Cornerstone reform model and the population it serves and explores the ways in which the Cornerstone model has shifted to accommodate lessons from its work. To provide a national context for the Cornerstone Initiative, the report considers the evolution of literacy instruction in the United States and the literature about comprehensive school reform. The report concludes by describing how Cornerstone's experience contributes to what we know about improving literacy, student performance and school reform.