Research, Program Development, and Dissemination:
Learning Labs on School & District Reform
Teachers21 contributes to the knowledge base on K-12 teaching and leading through the development of innovative “Learning Laboratories” that seek to strengthen the single greatest variable in student achievement: teacher and leader expertise.
Each Learning Laboratory begins with a particular challenge facing the field of education. Teachers21 examines the research base and draws extensively on the expertise of its community of practitioners in order to develop a comprehensive approach to improving teaching and leading which reflects a deep understanding of how successful change happens in K-12 contexts. The resulting model for change is piloted with a partner district or organization. The partner site and Teachers21 collaborate to continuously assess the efficacy of the model and make ongoing adaptations. Learnings are documented and shared widely with the field. Current Learning Labs include:
Urban District Improvement Model
Teachers21 has developed the Teachers21 Urban District Improvement Model, funded in part by the DeWitt Wallace/Readers Digest Fund, the TJX Foundation, IBM, and Jordan's Furniture, which is being implemented in an urban community in greater Boston and will be expanding to additional urban school districts.
Secondary School Redesign Model
The Teachers21 Secondary School Redesign model integrates seven essential elements: structures for shared governance, a culture of professional development, opportunities for personalization, assurance of equity, appropriate use of time and resources, establishment of community partnerships, and a continuous and rigorous attention to curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This comprehensive approach, currently being implemented in several Massachusetts school districts, has been designed from the ground up to support high schools as they work to improve student learning, meet the demands of state and national standards and assessments, and prepare students for the global and technological economy of their future.
Leadership Coaching Model
The Leadership Coaching model developed by Teachers21 serves as a proactive catalyst for increased professional learning and student achievement. Unlike reactive and remedial coaching models, the Teachers21 model centers on the process of active reflective inquiry. Problem posing and problem solving are used as vehicles to improve practice through introspection and collaborative conversations. This model matches extremely well with one-on-one work with administrators and also as the foundation for establishing high performing teams.
Comprehensive Induction Model
The Teachers21 Comprehensive Induction model is grounded in the belief that the success of the beginning teacher is the responsibility of everyone working in their school and district. This requires a genuinely comprehensive approach to inducting new teachers: engaging in district-wide planning to develop mentors, involving the school board and local community, and providing ongoing support throughout the critical first three years. Simultaneously, the Teachers21 Comprehensive Induction Model creates structures to ensure that well-designed induction programs are also excellent staff development that continually improves and enriches the culture of the school and district.