Multiple Case Study of a Partnership Reform

Purpose: Coburn’s (2003) multidimensional conception of scale includes four interrelated dimensions—depth, sustainability, spread, and ownership— that provide a framework to understand scale at both the school and district levels. This study was conducted to understand how reform leaders in four districts implementing the National Network of Partnership Schools’ (NNPS) framework for school, family, and community partnerships influ-enced progress along these four dimensions of scale. Research Methods: The study used a longitudinal qualitative case study approach. Four districts that had been members of NNPS for 5 years or longer and reported high levels of leadership for family and community engagement were selected for the study. Each district was studied for a period of 3 years. Interview, observation, and survey data were collected and analyzed. Findings: The study found that NNPS reform leaders influenced the case districts ’ prog-ress on Coburn’s dimensions of scale through a variety of facilitating prac