Teaching Quality

Elham Kazemi, Geda and Phil Condit Professor in Science & Math Education, has received the Washington Educational Research Association's 2014 Distinguished Paper Award for a paper describing the University of Washington College of Education's innovative work in math education at Renton's Lakeridge Elementary School.

One of the nation's leading experts on effective curriculum and assessment practices for young children from poverty-impacted and diverse backgrounds will speak at the University of Washington on Oct. 23.

For more than three decades, Larry Nyland has led school districts across Washington. The University of Washington College of Education alumnus has overseen rising graduation rates and test scores, resolved conflicts between teachers and school boards, and won recognition as the state's Superintendent of the Year.

Now, Nyland has returned to the school system where he grew up.

The start of a new school year is a busy time for children and teachers.

The National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning, based at the University of Washington College of Education, is pleased to offer this survival kit. Head Start teachers and other program staff can use the resources below to support their work with children and families all year long. Start exploring on your own and share them with colleagues.

A College of Education initiative to dramatically improve teaching quality in area schools kicked off this summer with a Teacher and Leader Academy for nearly 90 local educators.

The intensive academy is the launching point for INSPIRE (Innovations in Professional Improvement and Redesigns in Education), the College's new effort to collaborate with local partners in designing innovative ways for schools and districts to organize professional learning. INSPIRE focuses in particular on improving the quality of education at poverty-impacted schools. 

Just three years ago, Lakeridge Elementary in Renton was identified as one of the most persistently low-achieving schools in Washington, with only one in five students in fifth grade passing the state mathematics assessment test. That's when the school partnered with University of Washington's College of Education to build a professional learning community dedicated to rigorous, job-embedded professional development based on the latest research in mathematics education.

The recipient of the University of Washington College of Education's 2014 Distinguished Service Award is the Boeing Company. The award honors an individual or organization whose extraordinary contributions have advanced the College of Education’s central mission: To make equitable and excellent education a daily reality for every child in every community. Boeing was presented with the award at the College's commencement ceremony on June 16.

Dr. Kathleen Artman Meeker joins the college as an assistant professor of special education. She specializes in professional development systems for early childhood professionals, innovative web tools for evidence-based practices in early education and early intervention, and practical strategies for promoting social-emotional competence in young children with and without special needs.

The Collaborative Schools for Innovation and Success (CSIS) project is a state-funded partnership between the College of Education and Roxhill Elementary school in Seattle. Last year, CSIS provided an opportunity for teachers and researchers to plan the ambitious collaboration. The 3DL Partnership, co-directed by Professor Leslie Herrenkohl in the College of Education and Professor Todd Herrenkohl in the School of Social Work, supported a mission and vision process that resulted in an Innovation Plan approved and funded by the state.