DALLAS—December 8, 2010—Learning Forward recognized Bradley A. Ermeling, Ronald Gallimore, Claude N. Goldenberg, and William M. Saunders with the Best Research Award for their two studies on “Increasing Achievement by Focusing Grade-Level Teams on Improving Classroom Learning” and “Moving the Learning of Teaching Closer to Practice.”
This five-year study of 15 Title I schools examined the impact of professional learning communities on student achievement and teacher instruction.
Research showed significant gains in student achievement and improved teacher instruction after nine schools converted routine meetings into professional learning teams guided by an explicit protocol that encouraged initiative.
The researchers combined these findings with data collected from 20 districts and 200-plus schools to identify five keys to creating effective learning teams. They included job-alike teams of teachers, protocols that guide the team’s improvement efforts, trained peer facilitators, stable settings dedicated to improving instruction and learning, and perseverance for progress on student performance indicators.
Ermeling is Senior Research Associate and Executive Director of Pearson Learning Teams.
Gallimore is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at UCLA and Senior Research Consultant to Pearson Learning Teams.
Goldenberg is Professor of Education at Stanford University.
Saunders is Vice President of Pearson Learning Teams and Research Associate at UCLA.
Learning Forward presented the prestigious award at its 2010 Annual Conference in Atlanta, Ga. Learning Forward’s annual awards program recognizes individuals for their commitment to improving student achievement through effective professional learning. School Improvement Network sponsored the 2010 awards.
