Don’t Miss Today’s Webinar on Investing in Educators to Support Student Success
At 2:00 p.m. today, NASSP will be co-hosting a webinar with several other national education organizations titled, “How Investing in Teacher and Leader Professional Development Can Support Student Success.” During this webinar, researchers will share findings from a new review on professional development that improves students’ academic outcomes. The Learning Policy Institute reviewed 35 methodologically rigorous studies and identified seven key common elements of effective professional development, which states and districts can use to design effective professional learning programs. Panelists will also discuss promising, evidence-based investments in school leadership, including those contained in ESSA state plans, that take advantage of the optional Title II, Part A leadership set-aside.
Registration for the webinar is still open here.
The 2018 Advocacy Conference Has Been Announced!
Have you ever wondered how you can serve your students beyond your school walls? Let us show you how at the 2018 Advocacy Conference! At this conference, educators will hear directly from some of the nation’s leading education thought leaders on current policies shaping education in America. You will also have a chance to discuss these policies directly with your members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill. Best of all, registration for the conference is free!
The conference will take place March 19–21 at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, VA. For more information, please contact Zach Scott, NASSP’s manager of advocacy.
Inside the Beltway
What’s Happening in Washington?
Capitol Hill remains quiet as Congress is in its last week of recess. Looking ahead, Congress will be focusing on passing an FY 2018 budget before October 1. An important program to keep an eye on for school leaders is Title II of ESSA. The House’s Labor-HHS-Education bill actually zeroed out funding for Title II. The Senate’s bill has not yet been introduced, but the hope is that the number will be closer to the $2.295 billion originally authorized under ESSA. To help advocate for more funds for Title II, NASSP will be partnering with several other national education organizations to host a Title II Day of Action on August 29.
Why Should Principals Care?
Title II is one of the most important programs for funding professional development opportunities for teachers, principals, and other school leaders. The funds can be used to recruit, retain, and train educators. With the Senate still figuring out their final numbers for their Labor-HHS-Education bill, now is the time for elected officials to hear a unified message from all principals on the important role professional development plays in improving schools. Please contact your representatives directly by sending them an email through NASSP’s Principal Legislative Action Center. You can also voice your support for Title II on social media by signing up for the Title II Thunderclap or by using #TitleIIA.
In the Press
Many Principals Left in the Dark on ESSA, Education Dive
ESSA gained widespread support because states had to engage stakeholders to ensure their plans were addressing problems facing today’s students, teachers, principals, and parents. However, NASSP Director of Advocacy Amanda Karhuse points out in this article that many principals are unaware of these requirements as many of them have not heard from any state officials regarding implementation of the new law.
No Child Should Go to School Frightened. Ways You Can Help Undocumented Students, Education Week
Over the past year, there has been a growing fear among undocumented citizens and students regarding their status in America. It is vital that principals lead their institutions in a manner that ensures each child feels safe and secure. EdWeek provides several recommendations on how school leaders can create an environment that is welcoming for undocumented students.
ED’s Work to Advance School Leaders, U.S. Department of Education (ED)
This blog post from Principal Ambassador Fellow Dana Nerenberg focuses on the events that ED has held over the course of this year to help them better understand the evolving role of a principal. This includes a breakdown of the June 27 Principals at ED Principal Preparation Summit where the NASSP advocacy team participated in a panel related to advocating on behalf of school leaders.
How Should State Boards Analyze School Leadership? National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE)
A recent report from NASBE provides guidance on how state boards of education should be evaluating their state’s school leadership. The report specifically points out the important role school leaders play and how ESSA should be leveraged to ensure that each state is supporting and developing effective leaders.