data.ed.gov

"Project TLC (Teacher Leaders for the PreK-3 Continuum) is a Bank Street College of Education (Bank Street) and Memphis City Schools (MCS) early childhood leadership development initiative. Our goal is to support improved outcomes for the 36,374 pre-K-3 children in the Memphis City Schools, with an intensive focus on improving outcomes for the 4,232 children in low-performing schools. The PreK-3 Continuum is a powerful set of strategies that address the fragmented curricula and inconsistent teaching quality that have historically undermined early education and weakened the foundation for achievement in later schooling and beyond. Evidence from other districts that have implemented the Continuum show success hinges on the capacity of Teacher Leaders to facilitate and sustain core elements, including academic alignment, research-based instruction, and integrated supports. Project TLC comprises six key activities: 1) a comprehensive Teacher Leader Master's program for 24 PreK-3 teachers in low-performing (Striving) schools, including intensive on-site supervised fieldwork/advisement; 2) on-site support for school leadership teams at 12 MCS Striving Schools; 3) on-site and online professional development (PD) for teachers & leaders at Striving Schools; 4) facilitated study groups and intervisitation for Striving Schools with higher performing (Paragon) schools; 5) creation of a professional development video library and guide for districtwide use; and 6) annual citywide conferences. Bank Street is an ideal partner for MCS, given its longstanding Early Childhood Leadership program geared to optimal child development and learning and implementation of successful Teacher Leader and effective whole-school improvement projects. To reflect local strengths and needs, Bank Street will partner with MCS and engage faculty from the University of Memphis and the Memphis-based Urban Child Institute. The project will align with the Gates-funded Teacher Effectiveness Initiative."

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