Most of us know how hard it is to get out of a rut. Ruts allow us to bump along the path of least resistant. Ruts are frustrating (the bumping along is slow and sometimes leave us spinning our wheels), but it takes a lot of effort to get out of them.

But somehow, against all odds, Newton Street Elementary School is pulling itself out of the failure rut. Once a failing school with low test scores, Newton Street School now boasts double-digit increases in state test scores.

Last year longtime principal Willie Thomas struck an unusual partnership with the influential teacher’s union and Seton Hall University to remake the school. With the support of the teacher’s union, the school was able to replace some teachers. Seton Hall’s education professors took over much of the staff development. They provided workshops and extra coaching as well as equipping all faculty members with free laptops. They handed out basketballs and tickets to Seton Hall’s home games as incentives for students and their parents. And 50 Seton Hall undergrads came to tutor students.

Teachers love it. “I didn’t feel alone,” said a first-year teacher. Students love it. One boy who repeated third grade is now known as “Little Teacher” because he helps his buddies with their homework.

The school has also adopted a new parental-involvement policy that calls for parents to pledge up to one hour a day to help out in classes or at after-hours events in exchange for a chance to win prizes like a flat-screen television or microwave. The newly revived parent-teacher organization’s mantra is become involved and stay involved.

Principal Thomas notes that the activism has expanded beyond the parents to the teachers and students and, more than anything else, is responsible for driving the improvements in the classroom. “When you start taking ownership, you’re going to make it work because it’s part of you,” he said.

Change is hard. Change is work. But well-thought-out change can pull us out of a failure rut. Let’s all stand up and give Newton Street Elementary School a vigorous round of applause. They are blazing a new trail and leaving the old rut behind.