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SEPTEMBER 2013   
Promising Practices to Support Teachers
 

In our work with districts and states, we often hear the same concerns: demands on teachers are increasing, funding is tight, and technology offers compelling but complex opportunities. They want to know: how can we execute high-level professional development that works?

In this newsletter, we offer four case studies of Professional Growth & Support promising practices--in use right now by school systems that have raised outcomes for low-income students. We also highlight professional learning resources and a new state-level approach. Join the conversation: post your strategies for supporting teachers to our Facebook page.

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For each case study, we describe the mission and background of the organization, their particular approach to Professional Growth & Support, performance results, program costs, lessons learned, and next steps. 

Download the case studies� 

 

Achievement First

Achievement First integrates Professional Growth & Support with other support functions such as curriculum development, performance evaluation, student assessment, compensation, and career path. 

 

Duval County Public Schools/Agile Mind

Duval uses an instructional guidance system called Agile Mind to access curriculum, training, assessment, and other materials that support teachers in adjusting to the Common Core.

 

Orchard Gardens Pilot School/Teach Plus

Orchard Gardens partnered with teacher leader program Teach Plus to build the capacity of staff, school-wide, through teacher teaming and data analysis.

 

Aspire Public Schools

Aspire emphasizes teacher teaming around regular student data with support from content experts and teacher leaders.

 

Each of these promising practices aligns with the Eight Principles of Strategic Professional Growth & Support outlined in our publication, A New Vision for Teacher Professional Growth & Support, and our interactive multimedia presentation. 

Note to Districts: Are Your PD Funds Set to Expire?

An ERS analysis of seven districts found many relied on expiring federal funding to support teachers.

 

Read the article� 

 


Professional Learning: 
Adapting to Common Core  
The education association Learning Forward released resources to support professional learning geared to Common Core.

 


Compensation and Career Path: Iowa
A state task force recommends differentiated teacher leadership roles and compensation models.
 

 
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Education Resource Strategies (ERS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping urban school systems organize people, time, and money to create great schools at scale.

Education Resource Strategies
480 Pleasant St., Suite C-200, Watertown, MA 02472  T: 617.607.8000
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