Our Focus Areas

CONCERN

Having an effective teacher in the classroom and outstanding leadership at the head of a school gives students the ability to overcome challenges in life that are often wrongly used to explain low achievement for students of color. Yet research shows that the students most likely to benefit from a high-quality teacher are not being taught by one.

APPROACH

In order to develop and maintain excellent instruction, school districts have to create systems that recruit, retain and support the right people and support their development.

From early childhood education through higher education, intellectually challenging and engaging coursework, as well as educators who are just as passionate about what they teach as they are about student success, should be present and supported in all communities. To achieve this, we must:

• Ensure that all students have access to high-quality educational content, supports and resources.
• Increase access and use of updated textbooks, digital media and other teaching materials that will match the levels of other nations with high standards, and keep up with the latest research on how students learn best.
• Build additional opportunities for the voice and innovations of teachers, principals and other education leaders to inform educational practice, reform and content.