Developing a Professional Learning System for Adults in Service of Student Learning

Posted on March 15, 2018March 9, 2018 by coreeducation

The Aspen Institute Education & Society Program released a framework that outlines the elements of a coherent, district-wide professional learning system. Developing a Professional Learning System for Adults in Service of Student Learning is the culmination of collaborations with urban district leaders, teachers, and partners over the last several years, and it articulates a core Read more about Developing a Professional Learning System for Adults in Service of Student Learning[…]

Social and Emotional Learning: A Teacher’s-Eye View

Posted on March 13, 2018March 31, 2021 by coreeducation

In partnership with NoVo Foundation, Education First is pleased to launch a new website and video series on teacher practices to support social and emotional learning (SEL). This is an exciting moment for SEL. Yet as the field learns more about how students learn the social and emotional skills necessary to succeed in school and Read more about Social and Emotional Learning: A Teacher’s-Eye View[…]

Study Finds Student Learning Gains in Schools with Multi-Classroom Leaders

Posted on March 1, 2018February 23, 2018 by coreeducation

In survey after survey, teachers report dissatisfaction with the professional development they receive. Many aren’t satisfied with their professional learning communities or coaching opportunities. Teachers say they want more on-the-job development, career advancement while teaching, and collaboration time. Some teachers are getting what they want. But is that good news for students? Do their students Read more about Study Finds Student Learning Gains in Schools with Multi-Classroom Leaders[…]

Education Data 101

Posted on January 26, 2018January 19, 2018 by coreeducation

The Data Quality Campaign has released Education Data 101, a primer on the most important concepts and research related to education data. The purpose of this publication is to bring policymakers up to speed, but it also provides a nice summary of talking points for anyone involved in education. The publication focuses on eight pressing Read more about Education Data 101[…]

Making Teacher Recertification Meaningful

Posted on December 18, 2017December 15, 2017 by coreeducation

Recertification: It’s obscure. It’s ill-understood. It’s never studied. But most teachers have to meet these continuing education requirements every five years. A new special report from Education Week takes a hard look at recertification, posing questions about how it could be strengthened to support teachers better. The articles include an overview of the diverse provider Read more about Making Teacher Recertification Meaningful[…]

Empowered Educators Webinar Series

Posted on December 13, 2017December 8, 2017 by coreeducation

The world is changing and so are its schools. In recognition of the need to prepare students for an evolving and increasingly interconnected world, a growing number of countries have remodeled their education systems to deliver an education built for the 21st century, producing higher achievement and greater equity than the U.S. How are they Read more about Empowered Educators Webinar Series[…]

Lifelong Learners: How Redefining Professional Learning Leads to Stronger Teachers and Improved Student Outcomes

Posted on December 1, 2017November 26, 2017 by coreeducation

Effective teaching is the most influential factor in improving student achievement. One of the best ways to ensure students are taught by effective educators is by providing high-quality professional learning that helps teachers continuously improve and perfect their craft to meet the needs of their students. For years, many states and districts have recognized the Read more about Lifelong Learners: How Redefining Professional Learning Leads to Stronger Teachers and Improved Student Outcomes[…]

Developing New Teacher Educators

Posted on November 8, 2017November 4, 2017 by coreeducation

A new brief from Education First outlines what teacher educators do and how they can be supported in their practice. To give all students great educational opportunities, we need outstanding teachers in our classrooms. But we can’t forget that, when participating in teacher preparation programs and professional development, teachers are students themselves-and they also need Read more about Developing New Teacher Educators[…]

Differences in Performance WITHIN Schools: Why So Much Greater Than in Other Countries?

Posted on October 17, 2017October 14, 2017 by coreeducation

Recently in a Top Performers opinion piece in Education Week, Marc Tucker explored the reasons why differences in teacher performance within schools are so prevalent in America and more rare in other countries. Excerpts from the piece appear below: According to an OECD analysis of variation of student performance in science, between-school variation accounts for Read more about Differences in Performance WITHIN Schools: Why So Much Greater Than in Other Countries?[…]

Three States Tried Micro-Credentials for Teachers: What they Learned

Posted on October 3, 2017September 30, 2017 by coreeducation

As state education agencies acknowledge, promote, and support the importance of professional development, they continue to search for effective professional learning opportunities for teachers. Micro-credentials—among the newer professional development methods—allow teachers to learn and demonstrate competency in bite-sized elements of instruction. Each micro-credential addresses a discrete set of educational practices. Educators can then weave these Read more about Three States Tried Micro-Credentials for Teachers: What they Learned[…]

Teacher Professional Development Can Improve Student Achievement

Posted on July 10, 2017June 25, 2017 by coreeducation

A study released from the Learning Policy Institute demonstrates how well-designed teacher professional development programs significantly improve student achievement, challenging the logic behind the Administration’s proposal to eliminate funding for those programs. The new report, “Effective Teacher Professional Development,” reviewed 35 scientifically rigorous studies conducted over the past 30 years which showed significant gains in Read more about Teacher Professional Development Can Improve Student Achievement[…]

Good to Great Study Series: “Investing in What it Takes to Move from Good to Great”

Posted on June 5, 2017June 2, 2017 by coreeducation

The Center on Great Teachers & Leaders (GTL Center) is out with the third report in a series designed to explore how great teachers have become the excellent educators they are today and what experiences and supports helped these teachers refine their practice over time. The first two reports explored the perspectives of National State Read more about Good to Great Study Series: “Investing in What it Takes to Move from Good to Great”[…]

Teachers Supporting Teachers: State Policies for Non-Classroom-Based Instructors

Posted on May 25, 2017May 22, 2017 by coreeducation

The Center on Great Teachers and Leaders has released a new Ask the Team Brief, Teachers Supporting Teachers: State Policies for Non-Classroom-Based Instructors. Across the United States, non-classroom-based positions have been added in districts and schools to provide instructional support to teachers. They go by various names–coach, mentor, teacher leader–but typically they help classroom teachers Read more about Teachers Supporting Teachers: State Policies for Non-Classroom-Based Instructors[…]

Professional Development Activities of U.S. Public School Teachers

Posted on May 18, 2017May 12, 2017 by coreeducation

A new report from the National Center for Education Statistics provides a snapshot of teacher professional development among U.S. public school teachers. The report uses data collected through the 2011–12 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) Public School Teacher Questionnaire. This report relies on data provided by public school teachers about their professional development activities. The Read more about Professional Development Activities of U.S. Public School Teachers[…]

Five Unexpected Places where You can Learn to Be a Better Teacher

Posted on May 16, 2017May 12, 2017 by coreeducation

If you ever attend an amateur comedy contest, you’ll notice that beginning comics face some of the same classroom-management-style issues that pop up in an inexperienced teacher’s classroom. As with teaching, experienced comics can make “owning the room” look easy. That’s because they’ve had years to develop their material and practice fundamental skills like timing Read more about Five Unexpected Places where You can Learn to Be a Better Teacher[…]