Forum teams aim for measurable improvements in student outcomes

With a stronger emphasis on leadership development and a commitment to helping teams create action plans that advance their districts’ high priority goals, The Forum convened this week for the first session of the new school year.

The Forum’s refocusing reflects feedback indicating that development of leadership skills has been high among the benefits educators realize by participating. A recent survey put the number who believed The Forum had enhanced their leadership skills at 91 percent. The stronger emphasis on leadership development also is grounded in research that finds it second only to classroom teaching in its impact on student learning. 

Participants in The Forum develop leadership skills by applying them to create and execute action plans aimed achieving measurable improvements in student outcomes. Data gathering and analysis are critical to successful planning and implementation.

Plans in the works this year range from increasing student leadership opportunities at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School to an intervention in Clairton City School District aimed at helping a group of at-risk students graduate with concrete plans for post-secondary education, jobs or military service.

For 2016-2017, The Forum is bringing together teams from 18 different districts and schools. New to the group this year is Johnstown-based Westmont Hilltop School District.