May 31: Last day to save $75 on registration for 2012 Annual Conference in Boston More Info June 30: Board of Trustees nomination deadline More Info July 22-25: 2012 Summer Conference in Denver More Info

Contact: Jacqueline Kennedy 972-421-0900 jacqueline.kennedy@learningforward.org

Chad A. Dumas receives Learning Forward's Best Research Award

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.

###

Download the PDF of this press release.

About Learning Forward (formerly National Staff Development Council)
Learning Forward’s purpose is ensuring that every educator engages in effective professional learning every day so every student achieves. Learning Forward is an international association of learning educators focused on increasing student achievement through more effective professional development. To learn more about the impact of high-quality professional learning, visit www.learningforward.org.