AASA, Center for Model Schools Launch Partnership to Bolster Instructional Leadership in Post-COVID Pandemic World
October 11, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
James Minichello
703-774-6953
jminichello@aasa.org
Alexandria, Va. – October 11, 2023 – Today, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the Center for Model Schools (the Center) have announced a new partnership to support superintendents and district leaders as they work to transform their school systems, improve teaching and learning, and advance equity.
Through the Superintendents Teaching and Learning Academy, participants will engage in a multi-year effort to ramp up their skills addressing transformational strategies with experts and peers while applying their learning in their local communities.
Being in a learning network was instrumental to my success, and I’m thrilled that our new partnership will enable more superintendents to apply evidence-based practices to their work and accelerate learning and achievement.”
“As a former superintendent, I always sought out colleagues who were interested in pooling our collective knowledge and learning from experts about how to improve our practice and better serve our students,” said Joshua P. Starr, managing partner, the Center. “Being in a learning network was instrumental to my success, and I’m thrilled that our new partnership will enable more superintendents to apply evidence-based practices to their work and accelerate learning and achievement. I’m also incredibly excited to welcome hundreds of leaders to Model Schools and see them engage with educators around the country and around the world.”
In addition, participants will have the opportunity to network with peers and share winning strategies at the Center’s annual Model Schools Conference, which brings together 5,000 educators annually. This convening will become a significant milestone event for district leaders engaged in the AASA Learning 2025 Network, which is comprised of more than 150 demonstration systems representing future-driven urban, suburban and rural school districts that are networking with each other to help drive education policy and, ultimately, improve student academic performance.
“For years, AASA has created a myriad of partnerships—involving the best of the best in public education—on behalf of the thousands of outstanding men and women who are leading our public school districts. This partnership with the Center for Model Schools exemplifies our drive to deliver effective instructional leadership specifically designed for members of our organization,” said David R. Schuler, executive director, AASA. “AASA has been and will continue to be the nation’s ‘go-to’ source representing superintendents who are focused on leading innovative, equitable, and visionary teaching and learning agendas. It will be an honor to work with Dr. Starr and his team.”
“This partnership with the Center for Model Schools exemplifies our drive to deliver effective instructional leadership specifically designed for members of our organization.”
Using a framework for rapid, iterative change, this superintendent academy will help leaders to:
- Define challenges and their root causes.
- Identify changes to solve challenges.
- Test the efficacy of those changes.
- Scale changes to meaningfully impact teaching and learning.
The Center, formerly the International Center for Leadership in Education, is a division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a learning technology company. In addition to the annual Model Schools Conference, the Center supports leaders and educators through leadership coaching, strategic planning, curriculum alignment, data team implementation and shoulder-to-shoulder leadership support.
AASA is the premier association for school system leaders and serves as the national voice for public education and district leadership on Capitol Hill. A professional community of more than 10,000 educational leaders, AASA and its members are committed to providing high-quality public education to all students.
AASA develops and supports school system leaders through the national exchange of ideas; access to professional learning, publications and resources; and opportunities to champion initiatives to help transform the future of public education.
The AASA Leadership Network—the professional learning arm of AASA—drives superintendent success, innovation and growth, while shaping the future of public education and preparing students for what’s next. The Leadership Network is the largest, most diverse network of superintendents in America. Passionate and committed, AASA connects educational leaders to the professional learning, leadership development, relationships and partnerships they need to ensure a long career of impact.
For more information, superintendents can contact Mort Sherman, senior associate executive director, Leadership Network, at msherman@aasa.org, or Debbie Magee, director, Leadership Network, at dmagee@aasa.org.
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About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.
About HMH
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a learning technology company committed to delivering connected solutions that engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading provider of K–12 core curriculum, supplemental and intervention solutions, and professional learning services, HMH partners with educators and school districts to uncover solutions that unlock students’ potential and extend teachers’ capabilities. HMH serves more than 50 million students and 4 million educators in 150 countries. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com
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