How do you stay focused on increasing student learning when budget cuts threaten everything you are striving for? This book offers a comprehensive framework to enhance student achievement in good times and in bad. School reform expert Allan R. Odden outlines a school improvement action plan focused sharply on student learning and then shows how to target resources to implement each strategy in that plan. More than just a "theory" book, this text describes concrete, specific actions that can be taken immediately. Key strategies include: (1) Using data to support boosting student performance; (2) Focusing on effective instruction; (3) Setting goals to drive resource allocation priorities; (4) Establishing priorities for situations that require budget cuts; (5) Hiring top teachers and providing ongoing professional development; and (6) Providing needed technology resources. Educators will find a wide range of real-life examples of schools and districts that have implemented these strategies and significantly improved student learning. Also included is research-based guidance for optimizing teacher and principal talent, teacher recruiting and hiring, online learning, and more. This book successfully communicates many years of work and offers well-grounded advice that will help educators move from financial frustration to effective action.