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Our Mission

The Successful Practices Network is a not-for-profit membership organization designed to share data, experiences, technical assistance, research, and successful practices focused on rigor, relevance and relationships for all students. Members can seek peer and expert advice on school improvement from like-minded schools and education leaders.

Our History

In 2003, the International Center developed a not-for-profit membership organization, the Successful Practices Network, as a way for K-12 educators to share strategies, practices, research, data and experiences.

Over the last five years, the Network has grown from a small cadre of good schools committed to becoming great schools to a national network. We have been making continuous enhancements to our member services based on what we have learned from:

• Our 600 member K-12 schools in 38 states and Canada
• Our 75 high schools supported by a generous grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and our partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers
• Survey information from member schools 
• Feedback from our team of more than 50 experienced educators  

The Successful Practices Network offers ten comprehensive services to meet our Network members' needs:

1. Coaching/Team of Experienced Educators - Ongoing technical assistance and support from experienced educators and administrators.
2. On-Site School Visit - Upon acceptance into the Network, a coach will visit your school to become familiar with your staff and your school's strengths as well as areas of need. As a result, an initial plan of action incorporating Network services will be developed with the school leadership team.
3. Members-Only Searchable Website - Customized access for administrators and teachers to relevant and useful resources, searchable best practices, and member profiles.
4. Collaborating Online for Rigor and Relevance (CORR) - A 30-hour online rigor and relevance training for educators on how to write Quadrant D lessons (high rigor/high relevance on the Rigor/Relevance Framework) and a 15-hour course on matching instructional strategies to lesson development.
5. Graduate Credit - 3 graduate credit hours can be earned for participation in CORR: Quadrant D Lessons; 1 graduate credit hour earned for CORR: Instructional Strategies.
6. Monthly WebEx Communication -The pressing needs of schools are addressed with practitioners who share strategies and troubleshoot problems. Timely topics are also addressed in the Network Monthly newsletter and monthly technical bulletins.
7. Gold Seal Lessons - Teachers are encouraged to submit their lessons to be edited and then published on the Network website. Our online repository has more than 1,000 high quality lessons.
8. Semi-Annual Trainings - Special one-day meetings for Network members held at International Center conferences and at our Gates Initiative state gatherings. These free sessions are focused on the issues and needs identified by our members.
9. Research-Based Strategies and Surveys - Network members have access to student and faculty surveys to learn more about their perceptions of school. Research-based strategies for increasing rigor and relevance are shared through podcasts and video clips.
10. Discounts - Network members receive a 20% discount on International Center products and events.

To inquire about membership in the Network, please contact the office at (518) 723-2063 or info@SPNet.us

Successful Practices Network Brochure (pdf file - 2,521kb)

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