General Resources

Greenhouse Schools in Boston: School Leadership Practices Across a High-Performing Charter Sector

This study examines what Boston charter schools are doing to achieve consistently strong student outcomes. Comparing Boston charter schools and more than 200 charter schools across the country, the study finds that Boston charter schools employ specific school leadership practices that result in stronger environments that promote excellent teaching. Key findings include the importance of early hiring while setting a high bar, leadership practices that foster a strong school culture, and ongoing professional development for teachers.

Do More, Add More, Earn More

This report looks at 10 school districts and the key policy decisions they have made to redesign their teacher compensation systems. With the goal of attracting, retaining, and rewarding high-quality teachers while staying within budget and achieving district targets, these districts have changed compensation systems to pay effective educators more. 

Productivity Returns to Experience in the Teacher Labor Market: Methodological Challenges and New Evidence on Long-Term Career Improvement

This report on the impact of teacher experience on student outcomes bases its findings on a new methodological model designed to limit bias. It finds that teachers experience rapid improvements to productivity in their early teaching years, and continue to increase their ability to improve student outcomes beyond the first five years of their careers. The study also finds that teachers continue to improve late in their careers, particularly in the field of math.

Supporting and Retaining Effective Principals

Learn about policies that can support building a strong, sustainable school leadership pipeline. 

Principal Module: Helping Those New to the Teaching Profession

This module from the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (CSTP) New Teacher Alliance in Washington state provides strategies to help school leaders meet the needs of their new teachers. The module is driven by research demonstrating the importance of school leaders in new teacher induction practices and aims to help schools stem the tide of new teachers leaving the profession.

Doing the Math on Teacher Pensions: How to Protect Teachers and Taxpayers

This study from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) includes a teacher pension report card for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., together with an in-depth analysis of teacher pension policies. The study provides information on flexibility, fairness, sustainability, and portability of teacher pension plans in each state.

In the Quest to Improve Schools, Have Teachers Been Stripped of Their Autonomy?

This brief by the Center for American Progress examines how much autonomy teachers have using recent data sets, including the Schools and Staffing Survey, state surveys, and other national polling data. Findings suggest that teachers are more autonomous and more satisfied than might be expected. The brief suggests areas for improvement that include increased support, improved salaries, and better working conditions for teachers.

How Do We Get Experienced Accomplished Teachers Into High-Need Schools?

In an October 2014 discussion hosted by the Albert Shanker Institute, a panel of experts examined reasons that high-needs students are disproportionately taught by new, poorly prepared, and inadequately supported teachers who often leave the profession at a high rate. Experts also discussed relevant policy changes that might address this issue as well as ways to attract and retain highly effective teachers in high-need schools. 

Teachers Know Best: Teachers Views on Professional Development

Commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to gain insights into professional development for teachers, this study found broad agreement among teaching professionals on what comprises good professional learning. It also found consensus among teachers regarding the need to support and develop their teaching skills because they directly impact student outcomes. However, only 29 percent of teachers included in the study were highly satisfied with the professional development currently available to them.

Smart Money

Based on the assumption that teacher pay is an important factor in teacher recruitment and retention, this report by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) examines how different districts set teacher compensation rates. It investigates long-term compensation prospects for teachers and asks which districts offer opportunities for rapid advancement up the salary ladder.

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