Collaboration, teacher coaching improve student performance

Rather than simply pressuring teachers to raise student performance, policymakers should ensure educators have all the resources and knowledge necessary to do so, write Stephanie Hirsh and Joellen Killion of the nonprofit National Staff Development Council. Research suggests that collaboration, mentoring and instructional coaching, which are not always part of professional development programs for educators, are key elements in creating successful schools, they write. Education Week (premium article access compliments of Edweek.org)