Gathering Feedback on Teaching: Combining High Quality Observations with Student Surveys and Achievement Gains — Report

The connection between teachers and students is at the heart of learning. Our work focuses on ensuring that all teachers have the goals, skills and tools to form and strengthen that powerful bond with their students. The first step in doing that is asking teachers what works and what they need to strengthen the teacher-student bond—and then trusting and listening to what they tell us.

In this open letter to teachers, I am restating my claim that teachers are the experts. I urge teachers to talk with other teachers about their practice, and raise their voice about what they need to help their students learn.

From Arkansas to Massachusetts, California to Ohio, districts across the country are making incredible progress in boosting student achievement and increasing teacher effectiveness.