What does it take to leave no child behind? Pedro Noguera (at right) answered that question for attendees at the NASSP convention. I can’t capture all of it in a short note, but a brief outline will do. It’s not radical or even new. It is, fact, quite common sensible. What’s the most important thing principals can do? Support professional development in the classroom. Look at what the students do.

Engage parents. Noguera used PS28 in Brooklyn, NY, as an example. In a school where 40% of students are homeless, performance is high and part of that is attributed to the fact that parents are also in the school, perhaps to learn English or study for the GED. Teachers are in workshops to learn how to deal with stressed-out students and their own stress. The principals makes great use of data, to personalize and support student learning, but it’s the swimming lessons, the music and art, and the socioemotional learning, and more that are really remarkable.

Remember that although assessment is a tool, when misused it can distort the whole purpose of education. When a recent report that found eating lunch is good for test scores, as amusing as that “revelation” is, it actually leads to another key: kids need well-rounded education. Art, recess, music, Noguera reasons, are then also good for test scores. No student ever got smarter by being tested.

Personalize learning for every single student. Know students and meet their needs, otherwise, it’s guess work. Challenge students no matter how privileged. Identify the problems instead of just the symptoms and understand the difference. Dropping out is a symptom. Look for the cause, the reason why students are dropping out. If you are responsible for discipline, find out the problem behind the discipline. Hire another social worker to do case work.

Change the kind of instruction students are getting. Why is it that the number one student complaint is that school is boring? Maybe it’s because too much instruction follows the cemetery method: Line em up in rows and keep them as quiet as possible. Noguera urged principals to be instructional leaders and ensure that instruction is meaningful and relevant.

Use your best teachers to help others who are struggling. As a nation, we can’t afford to waste more money on reform, we have to build capacity. Understand student needs, understand staff needs. Maximize resources. Create a culture that is aligned with goals. Engage parents as partners.

We need a bolder and broader approach to reform because pressure and humiliation haven’t reformed schools. Provide early childhood education universal access. Expand healthcare. Expand learning time. Our future as a nation will be determined by the quality of our schools.