CRPE has been studying various aspects of portfolio reform since 1993 and providing support to districts on portfolio issues since 2008. We offer guidance, evidence-based analysis, and opportunities to accelerate portfolio strategy implementation within districts that are considering adopting a portfolio model.

Our latest support offering is the Portfolio 101 Leadership Training. Upcoming trainings may include workshops, readings, exercises, and participant-led discussions on many key topics, including:

• Portfolio Primer: What is the portfolio strategy, and why are cities trying it?
• Is the portfolio strategy right for your city?
• Evidence: Where and in what ways are cities seeing improvements with this strategy?
• Converting to student–based budgeting
• Conversations with key leaders, who have transformed their district using the portfolio strategy
• Supporting new school start up
• Making good school turnaround and closure decisions
• A governance system for the portfolio strategy
• An optional half-day session for district-charter collaborators

WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM ATTENDING?

• Superintendents
• School board members
• Local foundation officers
• Mayoral staff
• City council members
• New staff in current Portfolio cities
• Charter leaders in cities considering compacts with districts

TRAINING BENEFITS

• Full access to resources on the CRPE website featuring best practices and research on elements of the portfolio model
• Customized Portfolio Implementation Snapshot showing progress and work remaining on the 7 components of the portfolio model
• Option of joining the Portfolio School District Network’s twice-yearly meetings, which offer workshops on next steps for implementation

WHY ARE CITIES ADOPTING A PORTFOLIO MODEL?

There are many reasons for adopting the portfolio strategy, including: the need to dramatically improve tests scores; districts facing a fiscal crisis; previous reform efforts have been unsuccessful; districts need to find ways to provide more intensive instructional programs; districts want to provide new combinations of teaching and support services and new school models.

WHY CRPE?

Through research and policy analysis, the Center on Reinventing Public Education seeks ways to make public education more effective, especially for America’s disadvantaged students. We start from the premise that, too often, the structure of today’s public education system makes it difficult, if not impossible, for every family to have access to a school that meets the needs of their child, and for teachers and other adults to achieve the goal of providing an outstanding public education for every student.

Our work emphasizes evidence over posture and confronts hard truths. We search outside the traditional boundaries of education to find pragmatic, equitable, and promising approaches to address the complex challenges facing public education. Our goal is to create new possibilities for the parents, educators, and public officials who strive to improve America's schools.

CRPE is a self-sustaining organization affiliated with the University of Washington. Our work is funded entirely through private philanthropic dollars, federal grants, contracts, and fee for service.

HERE'S WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAID ABOUT OUR 101 TRAINING IN CLEVELAND

"This was a great conference. Smart people, pertinent topics. I look forward to further collaboration."

"Great job! The content and the climate of the sessions was wonderful."

"CRPE's Portfolio 101 Leadership training has clarified areas that I needed to understand in a solid manner."

"This has been massively helpful to push our thinking."

"I have a clear understanding of next steps."

"If you're a part of the portfolio network you get these really deep dive reviews (through the snapshot) of where you were at, where you are now, and where you need to go."