Are you having trouble keeping your district leaders informed on what is going on in the world of education? The CLI Model has the expectation for leaders to continuously review externally mandated assessment and accreditation requirements. Finding time to do this can be a factor, so one solution is to have your Curriculum Coordinating Council (CCC) schedule 15 minutes or more each meeting for regular updates. A designated council member might report on the most recent events, and then facilitate a discussion on what that could mean for your academic programs. There are numerous resources for obtaining such updates, but here are some recommended and reputable ones to look at first.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
This organization is typically the one to which your superintendent belongs, and it is very invested in providing guidance in the development of state and national education policy.
703-528-0700
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS (AFT)
The AFT has helpful publications including the American Educator, AFT on Campus, Healthwire, Public Employee Advocate, and various topical pamphlets to support public education and services.
twitter.com/AFTunion
ASSOCIATION FOR MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION (AMLE)
The AMLE has a focus of providing support for educators who work with adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15. The students in this developmental stage have unique situations that require educators to have an understanding of their educational and developmental needs. Concepts advocated by middle school educators are best expressed in the Middle School Journal and AMLE Magazine.
800-528-6672
ASSOCIATION FOR SUPERVISION AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (ASCD)
One of the biggest and most active associations for supporting quality academic programs is ASCD. The Association’s comprehensive membership package includes many outstanding resources such as subscriptions to Educational Leadership, Education Update, Policy Priorities, and the ASCD Express. Members may also select from printed publications, attend webinars, and participate in online professional development.
800-933-2723
EDUCATION WEEK
This publication is an excellent way to keep up-to-date on many educational issues. Frequently published by Editorial Projects in Education, news and opinions are shared about K-12 curriculum, instruction, technology, and school environments. Print and digital versions are available.
800-445-8250
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS (NAESP)
The NAESP is an organization with many helpful initiatives. Most of those are reported in the Principal Magazine and the Communicator. NAESP also provides support for the expanding leadership expectations of elementary and middle school principals.
800-386-2377
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS (NASSP)
The NASSP is an organization focused on providing support for secondary principals, assistant principals, and other school leaders through peer-tested and research-based information. Their publications include the NASSP Bulletin and Principal Leadership.
703-860-0200
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (NEA)
Another large organization advocating for public education is NEA. They are always active in working with government at national and state levels, and can be a good source for locating information about upcoming issues and proposals. NEA Today is their best-known publication available in digital and in print copy.
202-833-4000
NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION (NSBA)
This organization speaks for all local boards of education around the nation. They advocate for public education and influence public policy. Through the sponsoring of state and national conferences, NSBA creates support networks for decision making leaders across the nation.
When there is a regularly scheduled item on the CCC agenda, it is easier to keep up with current issues by spending time sharing updates. Obviously, there are other associations and agencies that can also be used to give your CCC insight into important trends. When those sources are discovered, they should be shared with the group to expand the “library” for obtaining professional knowledge. The key is to make staying informed a common practice so the best possible discussions are held and decisions made.