DALLAS—December 6, 2011—Learning Forward recognized Chad A. Dumas with the Best Research Award for his study “Building Leadership: The Knowledge of Principals in Creating Collaborative Communities of Professional Learning.”
Building on the understanding that a culture of collaboration for teachers creates better results for students, Dumas studied what principals know about creating such a culture.
After a review of the existing literature, Dumas identified 10 elements that are key to establishing a collaborative culture. In his survey investigating Nebraska principals’ knowledge of nine of those elements, he found that respondents had an overall knowledge of eight elements. These included: staff involvement, resource allocation, continuous improvement, staff meetings focused on student learning, effective teams, adult learning principles, modeling professional learning, and change principles.
However, fewer principals in Dumas’ study had a solid knowledge of a ninth element — student learning principles. He concluded his study with two recommendations for practice: 1) Increase principal knowledge about student learning principles; 2) Address the Knowing-Doing Gap so principals make use of their knowledge about collaboration.
Dumas is Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment at Hastings Public Schools in Nebraska.
Learning Forward presented the prestigious award at its 2011 Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif. Learning Forward’s annual awards program recognizes individuals for their commitment to improving student achievement through effective professional learning. School Improvement Network sponsored the 2011 awards.
