The latest information from the field in easy-to-read articles and resources that are helpful in your work. Articles on school improvement, organizational planning, training, and managing change — are summarized from significant journals.The field's most useful publication for any educator whose primary responsibility is to ensure classroom success.

All articles in NSDC publications -- including the JSD, The Learning System, The Learning Principal, Teachers Teaching Teachers, Results, and Tools for Schools -- are protected by copyright. To obtain permission to copy or reprint any article, please fax a request to Christy Colclasure (fax: 513-523-0638). Your request should include the number of copies you wish to create and how you intend to use those copies. E-mail requests for permission are not accepted. Please allow two weeks for a response.

• "'Forced' march to reform yields impressive results," by Joan Richardson
• "Principals amplify teachers' outstanding practices," by Dennis Sparks
• "Let's redefine family involvement," by Pat Roy

• "Ace in the hole," by Joan Richardson
• "Principals serve schools as leaders of professional learning," by Dennis Sparks
• "The power of culture," by Pat Roy

• "Up close and personal," by Joan Richardson
• "Principals establish relationships that energize and foster teamwork," by Dennis Sparks
• "A leadership conundrum," by Pat Roy

• "Closing the language gap," by Joan Richardson (available in members-only area)
• "Information provides direction, inspires continuous improvement," by Dennis Sparks
• "A fresh look at follow-up," by Pat Roy

• "Study groups lift Missouri district's teachers, principals and students," by Joan Richardson
• "Principals partner with supervisors, teacher leaders," by Dennis Sparks
• "Customize learning for each audience," by Pat Roy

• "Leading the way," by Joan Richardson
• "Principals possess a vision of quality professional learning," by Dennis Sparks
• "The three elements of the standards," by Pat Roy

• "Helping hands," by Joan Richardson
• "Principals first change themselves," by Dennis Sparks
• "Begin with the end in mind," by Pat Roy

• "Coaches build strong teams," by Joan Richardson
• "The principal's essential role as a learning leader," by Dennis Sparks
• "Move beyond workshops with NSDC standards," by Pat Roy

• "Pushing the capacity for growth," by Joan Richardson
• "Set goals for learning with a sense of urgency," by Dennis Sparks
• "Provide the best quality for all," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "A district that illuminates success," by Joan Richardson
• "Professional development apartheid," by Dennis Sparks
• "Time to evaluate adult learning and student achievement," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Setting the pace of instruction," by Joan Richardson
• "Take action to bridge the knowing-doing gap," by Dennis Sparks
• "Standards need 'critical friends,'" by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Doing whatever it takes to close the gap," by Joan Richardson
• "The intellectual and creative capacity of educators," by Dennis Sparks
• "Sights and sounds of implementing standards," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Focus on literacy leads to change," by Joan Richardson
• "Leadership is intensely personal," by Dennis Sparks
• "A new way to examine yourself," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Portrait of success," by Joan Richardson
• "Leaders as creators of high-performance cultures," by Dennis Sparks
• "What's next after adopting the standards?" by Stephanie Hirsh

• "How are coaches prepared?" by Barbara Neufeld and Dana Roper
• "Significant change begins with leaders," by Dennis Sparks
• "Calling all parents to support NSDC standards," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "The emergence of school-based staff developers," by Alan Richard
• "NSDC's theory of change," by Dennis Sparks
• "School board adoption of standards is a first step," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Intense focus on math, science works for Illinois schools," by Karel Holloway
• "Change begins within each of us," by Dennis Sparks
• "Quality teaching in federal spotlight," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "The transformation at Taft School," by Joan Richardson
• "Advocate each day for powerful professional learning," by Dennis Sparks
• "Develop teachers' skills as communicators," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Closing the divide," by Valerie von Frank
• "Form strong partnerships to ensure quality professional learning," by Dennis Sparks
• "Resolving conflicts key to collaboration," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "The secrets of 'can-do' schools," by Joan Richardson
• "Together we can support school leaders," by Dennis Sparks
• "Make clear your theory of change," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "NCLB extends its reach," by Joan Richardson
• "High-performing cultures increase teacher retention," by Dennis Sparks
• "Data tell a school's full story," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "The price of accountability," by Richard Elmore
• "Employ a 'people strategy' for school improvement," by Dennis Sparks
• "Plan thoughtfully for team time," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "The science of learning choices," by Joan Richardson
• "Dramatic improvement depends on powerful intention, action," by Dennis Sparks
• "Together, you can do more," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Leave no teacher behind," by Joan Richardson
• "Conversations that make the case for professional learning," by Dennis Sparks
• "Make your own professional reading a priority this year," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "A hope in the future," by Joan Richardson
• "The capacity of teachers and principals to create better schools," by Dennis Sparks
• "Make equity a priority," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Reshaping schools from the top down," by Joan Richardson
• "Amplifying positive deviance in schools," by Dennis Sparks
• "Research comes before decisions," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Diverse, mobile students successful in DOD schools," by Joan Richardson
• "Wishful thinking and other barriers to improvement," by Dennis Sparks
• "Spend existing resources wisely," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "No excuses for low learning," by Joan Richardson
• "Improved social relationships are fundamental," by Dennis Sparks
• "Leadership begins with thoughtful consideration," by Stephanie Hirsh

• "For good measure: How to assess staff development’s impact,’’ by Joellen Killion
• "Align learning experiences for all educators,’’ by Dennis Sparks
• "Heed knowledge about human learning and change,’’ by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Countdown to literacy,’’ by Joan Richardson
• "Time for professional learning serves student learning,’’ by Dennis Sparks
• "Educators plus families improve student learning,’’ by Stephanie Hirsh

• "It all adds up: Curriculum+teacher knowledge=high math achievement,’’ by Joan Richardson
• "Reinventing the wheel, school by school,’’ by Dennis Sparks
• "Needs are based on student goals,’’ by Stephanie Hirsh

• "E-learning potential: Online staff development has great possibilities – and pitfalls,’’ by Joan Richardson
• "Fundamental choices determine quality of professional learning,’’ by Dennis Sparks
• "Collaboration benefits standards as well as staff learning,’’ by Stephanie Hirsh

• "Shared Culture,'' by Joan Richardson
• "NSDC revises staff development standards,'' by Dennis Sparks
• "Developing skills to embrace parent involvement,'' by Mike Murphy

• "Teachers leading teachers,'' by Joan Richardson
• "The real barrier to improved professional development,'' by Dennis Sparks
• "Accelerating change,'' by Mike Murphy

• "Team learning: Teachers who learn together improve together,'' by Joan Richardson
• "Advocating for powerful forms of professional development,'' by Dennis Sparks
• "The team approach to staff development,'' by Mike Murphy

• "Student work at the core of teacher learning," by Joan Richardson
• "Expect the impossible," by Dennis Sparks
• "Improve teaching by focusing on students," by Mike Murphy

• "Lesson study: Japanese method has benefits for all teachers,'' by Joan Richardson
• "Leadership development key to school improvement,'' by Dennis Sparks
• "Setting improvement milestones,'' by Mike Murphy

• "Learning by doing: Teachers learn content by immersing themselves in subjects,’’ by Joan Richardson.
• "Improve the quality of learning in high-poverty schools,’’ by Dennis Sparks.
• "Stopping short of effective staff development,’’ by Mike Murphy.

• "Central office guidance strengthens the whole district,'' by Joan Richardson
• "NSDC adopts code of ethics for staff development,'' by Dennis Sparks
• "Making sense of your initiatives,'' by Mike Murphy

• "Focus principal development on student learning,'' by Joan Richardson
• "Six ways to immediately improve professional development,'' by Dennis Sparks
• "Designing staff development with the system in mind,'' by Mike Murphy

• "Successful schools share winning strategies," by Joan Richardson
• "Asking tough questions about electronic professional learning," by Dennis Sparks
• "Effective staff learning must be linked to student learning," by Joellen Killian

• "Ingredients mix to create success in Boston school." by Joan Richardson
• "Make principal development a priority," by Dennis Sparks
• "Attend to parents to improve student learning," by Joellen Killion

MARCH 2000

• "Teamwork keeps teachers pulling in the same direction," by Joan Richardson
• "Corporate lessons for evaluating staff development, '' by Dennis Sparks
• "Explore research to identify best instructional strategies,'' by Joellen Killion

FEBRUARY 2000

• "Teachers get help from 'guide on the side'," by John Norton
• "A national plan for improving professional development," by Dennis Sparks
• "Connect adult learning with student learning," by Joellen Killion

DECEMBER 1999

• "What can we learn from big gains in writing?" by Mike Schmoker
• "Winning schools demonstrate value of staff development" by Dennis Sparks
• "Exemplary schools model quality staff development" by Joellen Killion

NOVEMBER 1999

• "World-class learning: Making the best even better," by Joan Richardson
• "Using lesson study to improve teaching, " by Dennis Sparks
• "Forge a link between adult and student learning, " by Joellen Killion

OCTOBER 1999

• "Improved student learning is target for winning programs," by Joan Richardson
• "The real reason we don't invest in staff development," by Dennis Sparks
• "Selecting staff development content," by Joellen Killion

SEPTEMBER 1999

• "High Poverty Doesn't Have to Mean Low Performance," by Joan Richardson
• "Staff Development Has a Role in Preventing Student Violence," by Dennis Sparks
• "Use NSDC Standards to Make a Difference," by Joellen Killion

MAY 1999

• "Time for adult learning must connect to student learning," by Joellen Killion
• "Layer support for teachers to improve student learning," by Joan Richardson
• "What teachers should expect from staff development," by Dennis Sparks
  

APRIL 1999

• "Design staff development with student needs in mind," by Joellen Killion
• "Top-notch programs for middle schools," by Joan Richardson
• "Investments in teacher learning reap student achievement benefits," by Dennis Sparks

MARCH 1999

• "Good teaching matters ... a lot," by Kati Haycock
• "How can schools make time for teacher learning?"

FEBRUARY 1999

• "Principals are ‘head learners’ at successful schools" by Joan Richardson
• "Standards provide opportunity for staff development," by Joellen Killion
• "Plugging educators into technology" by Dennis Sparks

DECEMBER 1998

• "High standards for principals bolster school performance," by Dennis Sparks
• "Learning depends on teacher knowledge," by Joellen Killion
• "Investing in teacher learning key to growth in District 2," by Joan Richardson

NOVEMBER 1998

• "Results spring from aligning effort with goals," by Joellen Killion
• "School leaders must be system designers," by Dennis Sparks

OCTOBER 1998

• "Data provides answers for student learning," by Joan Richardson
• "Leaders have key role in promoting staff development," by Joellen Killion
• "Meeting the reading challenge in low-income schools," by Dennis Sparks

SEPTEMBER 1998

• "Information crucial in search for school reform design," by Joan Richardson
• "Standards' framework shows links among parts," by Joellen Killion
• "Teachers must be staff development leaders," by Dennis Sparks

MAY 1998

• "Reading Lessons"
• "Staff development central to Learning First's mission," by Dennis Sparks
• "Tips for using the standards in schools," by Stephanie Hirsh

APRIL 1998

• "California study links student learning to teacher learning"
• "Teacher expertise linked to student learning," by Dennis Sparks
• "Not all content is created equal," by Stephanie Hirsh

MARCH 1998

• "Learning from our critics," by Dennis Sparks
• "Three critical I's for school improvement," by Stephanie Hirsh

FEBRUARY 1998

• "Professional learning at the center of science reform,'' by Dennis Sparks.

DECEMBER/JANUARY 1997

• "Alternative strategies respects learners' differences" by Stephanie Hirsh.
• "Improving student learning requires deep change" by Dennis Sparks.
• "Deep change produces results in middle school" by Joan Richardson.

NOVEMBER 1997

• "Creating a seamless connection," by Stephanie Hirsh.
• "Ambitious student learning goals require powerful strategies" by Dennis Sparks.

OCTOBER 1997

• "Are We Getting the Results We Want?" by Dennis Sparks.
• "Investing the Time to Learn" by Stephanie Hirsh.

SEPTEMBER 1997

• "Data-driven Improvement Effort Leads to Results in Oak Park," by Joan Richardson.
• "Results: What's in a Name?" by Dennis Sparks.
• "On-Going Learning Key Part of School Improvement" by Stephanie Hirsh.