The following is a list of recent resources for those focused on the professional improvement of teachers, principals, and other educational leaders.

New RAND report explains Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) support of school leadership efforts and evidence requirements. School Leadership Interventions Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (Volume I) makes clear that school leadership is a “valid target” of ESSA funding and describes several major programs within the law that can be used for leadership improvement. The report also describes ESSA’s four categories—called “tiers”—of evidence, which help determine whether an activity is eligible for funding.

Want to Improve Low-Performing Schools? Focus on the Adults.” Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act gave states an increased role in making low-performing schools better. This brief explores how policymakers can step back from implementing specific improvement activities, similar to those required by the federal School Improvement Grants program, and instead focus on improving the capacity and stability of teachers and leaders.

Commentary: “Rethinking Teacher Evaluation.” (Education Week, April 18). The idea of tracking teacher accountability started with the best of intentions and a well-accepted understanding about the critical role teachers play in promoting student learning. The focus on teacher accountability has been rooted in the belief that every child deserves no less than good teaching to realize his or her potential. But as clear, compelling, and noncontroversial as these fundamental ideas were, the assurance of great teaching for every student has proved exceedingly difficult to capture in either policy or practice.
 Charlotte Danielson is an author and has consulted with state departments of education across the United States.

Addressing teacher shortages:
The Education Commission of the States (ECS) has heard from states time and time again about the critical issue of teacher shortages. The root causes vary state to state as do the approaches states are taking to address the issue. They’ve responded by creating a comprehensive resource addressing this issue which will be released in the next few weeks. The resource includes an introductory report discussing the data and research supporting and denying teacher shortages as well as particular areas of shortages. This report is accompanied by a series of five papers examining some strategies states are using to address shortages: alternative certification; financial incentives; induction and mentorship; evaluations and feedback; and teacher leadership. Make sure to subscribe to our New from ECS publication to be alerted of this report release.

New Book: Breakthrough Principals: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Stronger Schools debunks the myth of the ‘superhero’ principal by detailing the common actions and practices of leaders at our nation’s fastest-gaining public schools. Based on New Leaders’ Transformational Leadership Framework—developed through in-depth study of more than 100 high-gaining, high-poverty schools—the book distills findings into a practical, action-focused plan for diagnosing school needs and implementing structures, systems and practices that accelerate student achievement.

New York considering using test scores on evaluations.
 Future evaluations of New York high school principals might incorporate student scores on SAT subject tests and Advanced Placement exams, state officials told local education leaders this week. (Chalkbeat New York, April 13).

Foundations of Principal Supervision: A Participant’s Perspective. NYCLA’s Foundations of Principal Supervision (FPS) program is designed to assist districts from across the country focused on improving principal supervision and support. Now recruiting participants for its second cohort, FPS offers extensive training, peer networking, and support to participants – all with the goal of strengthening the leadership skills necessary for effectiveness. A recent interview with Peggy Goodman, Assistant Superintendent for Gwinnett County Public Schools and a member of FPS Cohort One, about her experience in this yearlong program is also available on the website. Contact us for more information on program components, pricing, or to enroll participants from your district.

Register today for Principal Supervisor Webinar: Building a Culture of Racial Equity. NYCLA continues its popular, no-cost Principal Supervisor Webinar Series with Building a Culture of Racial Equity, to be held on Monday, May 16, from 4-5 p.m. EST. The webinar will feature Gislaine Ngounou, chief of staff, and Catherine Carbone, associate superintendent of instructional leadership, to discuss what this strategy looks like in action as they support principals and schools in daily implementation. Space is limited; register today.

Send your school leadership coaches to NYCLA’s multidistrict coach training. NYCLA’s signature trainings for school leadership coaches have been scheduled for this year in New York City. Designed to help school leadership coaches develop their skills in our powerful Facilitative, Competency-Based (FCB) coaching approach, this two-part series of workshops develops coaches’ skills to support the growth of school leaders.