Resources for Educators

Center for the Support of Excellence in Teaching

The Center for the Support of Excellence in Teaching (CSET) combines empirical evidence and experience in the classroom to identify, test, and share the most effective ways to teach. CSET’s interdisciplinary research teams collaborate to design and implement a portfolio of professional development programs, develop and evaluate tools for measuring quality teaching, and determine the impact of these models on student achievement—all with special focus on culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. The Center for the Support of Excellence in Teaching (CSET) provides sustained opportunities for teachers to develop their professional knowledge and skills, including an understanding of subject matter and how best to teach subject-specific content to a wide range of students. (http://cset.stanford.edu)

Challenge Success

Formed in 2007, Challenge Success grew out of the success of the highly successful Stressed Out Students Project at Stanford University. Founded on the belief that real success results from attention to the basic development needs of children and a valuing of different types of skills and abilities, Challenge Success seeks to inform, inspire, and equip youth, parents, and schools to adopt practices to expand options for youth success. The organization offers high-quality professional development workshops for elementary schools, and conferences for schools, parents, and youth to address issues of student health, school engagement, and academic integrity. (http://www.challengesuccess.org)

John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities

The John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities (JGC) partners with communities to research, develop, and disseminate effective practices and models for developing well rounded young people. By bringing together community leaders and sharing new knowledge, JGC supports them in implementing quality programs for and with their young people. Its work is focused in the following San Francisco Bay Area communities: Redwood City, San Mateo County Mid-Coast, Oakland, and San Mateo and Alameda counties. (http://gardnercenter.stanford.edu)

National Board Resource Center

The National Board Resource Center at Stanford (NBRC) offers support to candidates for National Board certification, promote teacher leadership, and improve the quality of teaching in California schools. Its successful support program is staffed by Board-certified teachers and is open to any eligible candidate. NBRC helps teachers and administrators learn about ways to use National Board certification to advance professional practice and promote teaching quality in schools by providing information and support at its sessions at Stanford and through related outreach throughout the Bay Area. (http://nbrc.stanford.edu)

Ravenswood English

Ravenswood English is a volunteer program that brings together adult volunteers and young English-language learners. Its purpose is to expose young immigrant children who have little access to English in their schools and communities to rich English language interactions. Ravenswood English seeks to assist schools in providing one-on-one access to English by drawing on the energy and commitment of community volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of at-risk students. (http://www.stanford.edu/dept/Stanford GSE/RavesEng)

School Redesign Network

The School Redesign Network at Stanford University (SRN) helps create, support, and sustain equitable schools that are intellectually rigorous, high-performing, and provide all students access to college and the skills needed to meet the workforce demands of the 21st century. SRN works with networks of urban school districts on organizational innovation and instructional improvement; collaborates with leading scholars from the Stanford schools of business, education, and design to develop executive leadership programs; builds student and teacher assessments; and, conducts empirical research focused on strengthening educational systems. District partners include Austin, Albuquerque, Knox County (TN), Mapleton (CO), Miami-Dade, Milwaukee, North East Independent School District (TX), Oakland, and San Francisco. Major endeavors include the PACT teacher assessment, the LEADS Network, Hillsdale Study Visits, and the publication of research by SRN scholars. (http://www.srnleads.org)

Stanford Principal Fellows Program

Launched in 2008, the Stanford Principals Fellows Program is a year-long professional program designed to challenge and strengthen exceptional, early-career principals. Its goal is to develop principals with the knowledge, skills, and vision to lead equitable, transformational schools where all children can succeed and thrive. Participants attend intensive retreats and monthly working seminars where they investigate the challenges of 21st century school leadership and the skills required to meet them. The work centers on instructional leadership. (http://principalfellows.stanford.edu).