“By combining the research and services from The Leadership and Learning Center and Learning Sciences International, HMH Educational Consulting Services is able to offer Florida an unprecedented holistic solution that is aligned to state legislative and regulatory mandates, and also supports key priorities within the Race to the Top initiative,” said Senior Vice President of HMH Educational Consulting Services Dave West.
The Leadership Performance Matrix was developed by The Leadership and Learning Center′s founder Dr. Douglass B. Reeves. Commenting on the partnership with The Florida Department of Education, Reeves said, “The students of Florida are the real winners in this incredibly innovative project. This is a genuinely groundbreaking approach to linking teacher quality, leadership quality and student achievement. Teachers will be active participants in contributing to the continuous improvement of professional practices. School leaders will not only participate in evaluating teachers, but also, themselves, be part of interactive evaluations. Most importantly, this changes teacher and leadership evaluation from a ‘penalty and reward’ system into a ‘learning system’ in which the primary purpose is the improvement of professional practice and student performance.”
“The Florida Department of Education has selected the leading-edge model for teacher evaluation that embodies the contemporary research and effective practices,” said Learning Sciences International CEO Michael Toth. “Developed from extensive research, the Art and Science of Teaching Causal Teacher Evaluation Model provides districts the tools and practices to empower teachers to measurably improve student learning. The model helps districts to implement a rigorous and systematic process for supporting teacher growth, development and evaluation to the benefit of the children in Florida′s public schools. This really sets Florida apart as the national leader in providing their school districts with the best contemporary research and practice for teacher evaluation.”
Said Dr. Robert Marzano, researcher, author and CEO of Marzano Research Laboratory, “I am honored by the Department′s selection, and will work closely with my partner, Learning Sciences International, to serve the needs of Florida′s districts with our model that incorporates contemporary research in effective teaching practices, the development of expertise over time and the key concept of deliberate practices to districts′ teacher evaluation systems.”
“Florida′s teachers are absolutely vital in ensuring our students are well prepared for their futures,” said Florida Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “I′m excited that we have begun our work with these national leaders and that our local school districts will be able to use their expertise to help build the types of comprehensive evaluation systems that will provide meaningful feedback to teachers while gauging their effectiveness in a fair manner.”
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a global education and learning company that is leading the way with innovative solutions and approaches to the challenges facing education today. The world’s largest provider of educational products and solutions for pre-K–12 learning, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt develops and delivers interactive, results-driven learning solutions that advance teacher effectiveness and student achievement. Through curricula excellence, research based services and technology innovation; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt collaborates with school districts, administrators, teachers, parents and students. Today, HMH education products and services are used by 57 million students throughout all 50 U.S. states and 120 countries. With origins dating back to 1832, the Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. For more information, visit www.hmhpub.com.