In light of the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, this session will explore how a comprehensive approach to professional learning and coaching can significantly enhance teacher effectiveness and student outcomes. Through a discussion with one of our current partners, Akbar Cook, principal of West Side High School in Newark Public Schools, we will highlight the impact of a model that tackles common challenges in traditional professional development — one that emphasizes practical application, interactive experiences, and sustained ongoing support through job-embedded coaching. This approach has yielded notable gains, including double-digit increases in student proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics in NYC schools, and has enabled five high schools in Newark Public Schools to surpass district growth in state exams and achieve Middle States Accreditation.
