The session titled The Power of Collaboration: Root Cause Analysis provided valuable insights into how collaborative inquiry and structured reflection can drive school improvement and student success. This presentation centered on Parker Junior High School’s ongoing partnership with the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) and its work toward implementing a true middle school framework.

A Journey Toward True Middle School Alignment

When Parker Junior High School partnered with AMLE, the school embarked on a transformative journey to more fully align its practices with the core tenets of the middle school model. Through AMLE’s comprehensive assessment, they gathered staff perceptions and data across three critical domains:

• culture and climate, 
• curriculum and instruction, and 
• leadership and organization. 

This data served as the foundation for our root cause analysis process.

Collaboration as the Engine of Change

During the session, presenters described how collaboration among staff and leadership teams enabled them to identify systemic patterns rather than surface-level issues. Through structured dialogue and reflective inquiry, they uncovered the underlying factors influencing student engagement and academic growth. The process emphasized the importance of building a shared vision, fostering trust among staff, and maintaining a data-informed approach to decision-making.

Connecting the Dots: The Role of Targeted Interventions

A key takeaway from the session was the recognition that STARI could serve as a pivotal resource for middle schools seeking to improve through AMLE’s comprehensive assessment. As a targeted intervention, STARI could strengthen the curriculum and instruction domain—filling a common gap in many middle school programs and supporting students’ academic development.

A Shared Commitment to Student Growth

The story of Parker Junior High reminds us that improvement is not a one-time event—it’s an ongoing, collaborative effort. When educators come together to reflect deeply, analyze data, and act with purpose, meaningful change follows.