Venue
Solution Tree Arkansas Training Center
425 W Capitol, Suite 1300
Little Rock , AR 72201
Workshop Overview
The High Reliability Schools (HRS) framework of effective school reform emphasizes key elements: a safe, supportive, and collaborative culture; effective teaching in every classroom; a guaranteed and viable curriculum; a standards-based approach to tracking and reporting student progress; and the use of competency-based educational practices as fundamental conditions that schools can implement and measure to ensure educational success for all students.
Level 1 of the High Reliability Schools (HRS) framework establishes the foundation upon which all other levels depend. The leading indicators are not checklists but conditions that create a thriving, safe, and supportive culture focused on stakeholder voices.
During this full-day workshop, participants explore how all eight Level 1 leading indicators work together to create a positive environment where students, staff, and families feel included, respected, and supported. Through research, reflection, dialogue, and practical application, educators examine how leadership actions and daily practices shape school culture and strengthen school systems, moving from intention to sustainable, meaningful implementation.
Learning Outcomes
Explain the purpose of HRS Level 1 and why school culture and climate form the foundation for continuous improvement.
Understand how the Level 1 leading indicators work together to create safe, orderly, and supportive learning environments.
Explore how collaborative teams and the PLC process leverage educators’ strengths to support effective teaching and learning.
Analyze current school or district practices to identify strengths and gaps within each Level 1 indicator.
Mario I. Acosta
Mario Acosta, EdD, is an award-winning educator, accomplished author, and highly regarded speaker and expert. He spent 20 years in education as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, academic director, and principal, leading schools with diverse profiles in Texas. He was named the 2022 Principal of the Year in the State of Texas while principal of Westwood High School, a U.S. News & World Report top-50 campus and member of the High Reliability Schools (HRS) Network.
Dr. Acosta has championed schools of all sizes, with students and teachers from diverse backgrounds, communities, and socio-economic statuses. He has led “school turnaround” in high-poverty schools in Texas at both the middle and high school levels, yielding immediate and significant growth in student achievement data. Under his leadership, Westwood High School was recognized as a top 1% campus in the nation for academic achievement and college/career readiness.
Evaluate Your Presenter!
We value your feedback! Please take a moment to fill out this quick evaluation at the end of Day 2.
Supporting Documents
Materials are copyrighted. Workshop participants may print these pages for personal use and note-taking during the event. Additionally, pages marked “Reproducible” can be reproduced freely without permission as long as they are not reprinted in a formal book that is published and sold; copyright lines on Reproducible pages must remain intact. Otherwise, no part of these materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of Solution Tree. Please contact pubs@SolutionTree.com for permission to duplicate any materials.
You will receive a certificate of participation six weeks after the event concludes.
Please check with your district office for CEU availability. For more information, click here.
Get 30% off and free shipping when you purchase five or more books or DVDs at MarzanoResources.com or at the event.
Buy more, save more! Use discount code HRSAR26 by December 10, 2026.
Take the next step in your HRS journey with sustained coaching, practical implementation support, actionable training, and expert guidance that develops internal leaders equipped to drive lasting school-wide transformation.
AllThingsHRS is now live, providing you with a one-stop shop for the HRS information and support you need to create a safe, supportive, and successful school environment.
Explore Avanti, our teacher-created online professional learning platform for free and get teaching strategies you can use today in five minutes or less. Avanti offers hundreds of short videos packed with field-tested classroom strategies that make it easy to try out new ideas. Discover innovative ways to engage students, build relationships, establish learning goals and more. Start your free trial >>
