Updraft Downdraft

The book Updraft Downdraft examines the disparities in student success and offers practical tools for schools to improve resource allocation.

In Updraft Downdraft, the authors explore the significant disparity in student success rates within educational systems. They delve into the reasons behind this divide, highlighting the duality of experiences that students face in secondary schools. While some students are propelled towards post-secondary education, others find themselves receiving terminal degrees or dropping out altogether. This phenomenon, termed the updraft/downdraft effect, occurs as resources such as time, talent, and funding tend to favor the 'updraft' group, leaving the 'downdraft' students and educators with inadequate support and opportunities.

The book offers a comprehensive toolkit aimed at schools and communities, providing strategies for more effective resource allocation. By utilizing school 'artifacts,' educators can gather essential data to inform their decisions, ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources. The authors emphasize that the process of collecting, analyzing, and acting on this data fosters strategic decision-making that can positively impact student outcomes.

Updraft Downdraft also includes practical examples of data collection and analysis, such as master schedules and curriculum guides, which serve as valuable resources for educators seeking to address the challenges within public schools. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of educational disparities and discovering actionable solutions to bridge the gap in student success.