How School Buildings Affect Teacher Collaboration

Posted on January 22, 2018January 19, 2018 by coreeducation

Writing for Education Next, researchers James P. Spillane and Matthew Shirrell describe the findings of a four-year study of a midwestern suburban district, where they analyzed collaboration patterns among teachers and teased out the impact of teacher proximity to one another, shared workspace, and school design. Their analysis finds that physical proximity predicts staff interactions, Read more about How School Buildings Affect Teacher Collaboration[…]

States Fall Short in Plans to Address Major Inequalities for Vulnerable Students

Posted on December 8, 2017March 3, 2020 by coreeducation

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) recently completed an analysis of what each of the 50 states intends to do to provide a more equitable education to all students, as described in their Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plans. The analysis from NCTQ highlight strengths and opportunities, ultimately demonstrating that most states are not Read more about States Fall Short in Plans to Address Major Inequalities for Vulnerable Students[…]

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[…]

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?[…]

Using Data to Improve Teacher Prep

Posted on October 2, 2017September 17, 2017 by coreeducation

Every student, no matter where he or she lives, deserves a great teacher. States, educator preparation programs (EPPs), and K–12 leaders must work together to ensure that all teachers are learner ready on day one in the classroom. But too often, these actors do not have access to the necessary information to fully prepare teachers Read more about Using Data to Improve Teacher Prep[…]

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[…]

Landscape in Secondary Teacher Preparation

Posted on May 30, 2017May 22, 2017 by coreeducation

The National Council on Teacher Quality has followed its study of undergraduate elementary teacher preparation programs with a new study focused on secondary teacher preparation, Landscape in Teacher Preparation: Undergraduate Secondary Education. Since rules and procedures for selectivity in admissions, student teaching, and classroom management cut across teacher prep programs at an institution, whether preparing Read more about Landscape in Secondary Teacher Preparation[…]

The Shortcomings of Efficiency in Education

Posted on May 26, 2017March 3, 2020 by coreeducation

Andy Smarick, writing for AEI, has penned a piece on the shortcomings of efficiency as an educational goal. Excerpts from his article appear below: There are very good reasons to resist (or at least be skeptical of) efforts to drive “efficiency” in public education. One of the biggest reasons is that any attempt to maximize Read more about The Shortcomings of Efficiency in Education[…]

Igniting the Learning Engine

Posted on May 15, 2017May 5, 2017 by coreeducation

Igniting the Learning Engine, a new report from Education Resource Strategies, examines how leaders in four school systems have successfully re-organized resources to create the type of effective, job-embedded professional learning that teachers are asking for. The report describes three inter-related elements that these systems have in common: (a) Rigorous, comprehensive curricula and assessments aligned Read more about Igniting the Learning Engine[…]

Within Our Grasp: Achieving Higher Admissions Standards in Teacher Prep

Posted on December 1, 2016November 22, 2016 by coreeducation

A strong body of research, and the example of other nations, supports a relationship between student performance and the selectivity of admissions into teacher prep programs. Therefore, America’s institutions training teachers should set high standards to admit only the best candidates to become the teachers. According to a new report by the National Council on Read more about Within Our Grasp: Achieving Higher Admissions Standards in Teacher Prep[…]

Teacher Effectiveness in the Every Student Succeeds Act: A Discussion Guide

Posted on November 28, 2016November 22, 2016 by coreeducation

The Center on Great Teachers & Leaders has released a new discussion guide, Teacher Effectiveness in the Every Student Succeeds Act. Systemic challenges in the educator workforce require thoughtful and bold actions, and ESSA presents a unique opportunity for states to reaffirm, modify, or improve their vision of educator effectiveness. This GTL Center discussion guide Read more about Teacher Effectiveness in the Every Student Succeeds Act: A Discussion Guide[…]

How Measurement Fails Doctors and Teachers

Posted on February 10, 2016February 5, 2016 by coreeducation

In a recent opinion piece in the New York Times, Robert Wachter focuses on the effects of metrics and measurement on the health care and education professions. While arguing that we, of course, need to hold professionals accountable, he cautions against unanticipated consequences. Following is an excerpt from this piece: Measurement cannot go away, but Read more about How Measurement Fails Doctors and Teachers[…]

What ESSA Means for Teacher Effectiveness

Posted on December 15, 2015December 11, 2015 by coreeducation

As this blog reported, the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act was signed into law on December 10, 2015. The new law, deemed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is good for the next four years. SY2016-17 is a transition year, and the law will be in full effect in SY2017-18. We have previously provided Read more about What ESSA Means for Teacher Effectiveness[…]

Coherence in Education Reform

Posted on March 17, 2015March 16, 2015 by coreeducation

Often, it seems in schools that reform after reform is layered on with little thought to alignment or coherence. The Center on Great Teachers and Leaders is responding to that problem with a new special issues brief titled, A Framework for Coherence: College and Career Readiness Standards, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, and Educator Effectiveness. Read more about Coherence in Education Reform[…]

AIR Releases New Tools and Assessments to Turn Around Educator Quality

Posted on September 19, 2012 by coreeducation

Few efforts are as pressing this school year as those of identifying issues and creating new approaches to improve educator quality. In support of these imperatives, (AIR) has released new resources to ensure that leaders have the capabilities and tools needed to successfully improve teaching and learning. The online destinations for these new resources can Read more about AIR Releases New Tools and Assessments to Turn Around Educator Quality[…]