A State Effort to Improve Instructional Leadership and Teacher Growth Using Educational Leader Professional Learning

• In Event: Teacher Work, Leadership, and School Improvement

Abstract

State education agencies (SEAs) have taken various approaches to providing professional learning supports for educational leaders, including contracting with third-party vendors. This study focuses on The Nexus, one U.S. state’s professional learning support for educational leaders working in high-needs schools and districts who were tasked with learning to implement the state's new teacher evaluation system. Using a mixed-methods design and foregrounding observational data of 16 Nexus meetings, we found that while the Nexus fostered vulnerability among participants, some vendor staff members did not leverage adult learning principles while some participants overstated their abilities relative to vendor staff member perceptions. We conclude with implications for SEAs designing and implementing supports like the Nexus.

Authors

• Bryan A. VanGronigen, University of Delaware

• Coby Meyers, University of Virginia