Steve Prigohzy Director, Cornerstone

When Cornerstone was born, we imagined somewhat naively that at the end of four years any and every Cornerstone school would have the capacity, the will, and the support to extend Cornerstone principles and practice to their brethren-to be Foundation Schools!

Nice notion, even if it ignored some of the realities of implementing reform-that schools are at different stages of development and advance at different rates of speed; that school districts face a multitude of challenges (changes in leadership, fiscal instability, resistance to change, etc.). While the length of time one travels it may vary, the road to becoming a Foundation School is the same.

How do you know you're on course (vital signs)

• Consistent involvement in Cornerstone meetings and video conferences
• Successful annual school reviews
• Successful Cornerstone implementation grades k-3 or higher
• Evidence of a culture of shared decision-making embedded in practice among faculty, parents, and community
• Documented literacy achievement in grades 1-4 including the implementation of a literacy action plan
• At the conclusion of three years, a plan supported by the district for the Foundation school to extend Cornerstone practices to additional schools
• That plan's will show evidence that shows Cornerstone school leadership has evolved beyond the principal and coaches to the larger faculty

Who and what decides

• The Cornerstone staff (Literacy Fellow, Liaison, Parent/Community Associate, Leadership Associate, Cornerstone Director)
• Self-review
• The fourth year school review

Is there Support for Foundation Schools (did you catch the play on words)

• Support totaling $10,000 per school per year for three years to allow regular participation in video conferences, a minimum of three visits annually by Cornerstone staff, annual school reviews led by a Cornerstone senior reviewer, participation in meetings concerned with Foundation school progress

Do these few paragraphs cover every aspect of seeking and being a Foundation school? No! It is a journey. To that extent, every school's experience will have its own twists and turns. These benchmarks, however, should help you stay the course.