National Academy for K-12 Science and Mathematics Education Leadership

What is the National Academy?

Since 1997, the National Academy for K-12 Science and Mathematics Education Leadership has helped educators develop and enhance their leadership knowledge, skills, and strategies. After participating in the two-year Academy, fellows are able to

• Use key research findings and strategies in professional development and organizational change as they relate to leading education improvements;
• Apply leadership skills to plan and lead change in the science and mathematics education system;
• Use data to guide practice and improve student outcomes;
• Design, implement, and evaluate teacher professional development; and
• Create and support collaborative groups.

Who Should Apply

The National Academy considers applicants who are

• Leaders of K-12 science and mathematics education reform efforts
• Leaders from school districts or institutions of higher education
• Teacher leaders in K-12 schools and districts
• Leaders of school-university partnerships

To improve your eligibility to become a fellow, applicants are encouraged to apply with a colleague or as part of a team.

What You Learn

The sessions focus on research-based leadership development; leading change in education organizations; leading others to use data to guide practice and improve student outcomes; leading the design, implementation, and evaluation of effective professional development; and developing and facilitating collaborative groups. In addition, fellows learn about resources and research on six major issues related to science and mathematics education reform:

1. Implementing programs based on content standards and frameworks,
2. Achieving equity and addressing the achievement gap,
3. Building public support for education,
4. Conducting student assessment,
5. Enhancing content and curriculum, and
6. Utilizing effective instructional strategies.

Throughout the two years, fellows develop and carry out a personal project plan to apply leadership skills in their own settings; interact with each other and hundreds of other experienced science and mathematics professionals through the Learning Colleagues Network; participate in the Academy's electronic network for ongoing support, discussion, and sharing of resources; and lead a local study group at their own sites to extend their learning to their coworkers and to apply their leadership skills.

What Resources Support Your Learning

Each participant receives copies of the following professional books, based on the content addressed at each session:

• Designing Professional Development for Teachers of Science and Mathematics (2nd Edition)
• Leading Every Day: 124 Actions for Effective Leadership, Second Edition
• Balanced Leadership
• The Adaptive School
• The Data Coach's Guide to Improving Learning for All Students

Fellows receive additional professional materials at each session, including recent articles and research and packets for study groups on the content addressed at each session, developed at WestEd under a grant from the National Science Foundation.

What Research Informs the Work

The Academy incorporates the work of numerous researchers and authors, including the National Research Council, NSTA, NCTM, WestEd, John Bransford, Mike Cohen and Heather Hill, Peter Senge, Michael Fullan, Linda Darling-Hammond, Susan Loucks-Horsley, Robert Garmston and Bruce Wellman, Thomas Guskey, Gene Hall and Shirley Hord, and James Kouzes and Barry Posner.

What Participants Report

"Little did we know when we began our two years as Academy fellows that our entire professional lives would be tremendously impacted by the experiences we had, the contacts we made, and the insights and knowledge we gained! As a result of participating in this Academy, we have not only been able to lead our district in focused mathematics and science professional development for all teachers, but we were also motivated to write a proposal resulting in a $5 million investment in professional development for our district."

Format and Cost

Each Academy cohort experiences ten days of professional development spread over two years (two 2-day and two 3-day workshops). Throughout the two-year Academy, participants receive ongoing support through Academy staff as well as their cohort members and other experienced science and mathematics professionals through the Learning Colleagues Network.

Tuition for the entire program is $5,000 per participant, and covers all books and materials, workshop meals, and ongoing contact with Academy staff.

Contact Information

Deanna Maier
520.888.2838
dmaier@wested.org