Generation Ready Strengthens School Leadership Services

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Aug 4, 2014) - The principal who can simply walk the halls and dole out discipline in schools is a thing of the past. Now more than ever, the role of principals is multifaceted as they transition into instructional leaders while balancing the inordinate responsibilities that are embedded into the position.

Principals must learn to constantly focus their schools on the thoroughness of classroom learning while at the same time distribute responsibility for improvement to teams within the school. In July, dozens of school leadership teams from New York City attended a three-day intensive leadership institute to learn how to do just this. Hosted by Generation Ready, one of the largest providers of professional development and school improvement services in the country, the institute was based on the pioneering work of Dr. Richard Elmore, Gregory R. Anrig Professor of Educational Leadership, Administration, Planning and Social Policy, Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The institute was designed to help school leadership teams make meaningful enhancements in student achievement using Dr. Elmore's innovative "internal coherence" framework. Dr. Elmore, who led the conference, also serves as advisory board chair for Generation Ready. Principals and their teams collaborated with fellow educators and consultants on the importance of creating conditions that drive and sustain improved instructional practice in every school. Participants were also asked to develop a bold vision for instruction and identify the learning that would be required to make this vision a reality.

"One of the real challenges is getting that vision of what real effective practice looks like and what really makes a difference to students learning," said Sheena Hervey, Generation Ready's chief academic officer. "Having a chance to partner with principals who are working through that gives us an opportunity to bring our expertise to the table about what is possible with our students."

Participant Elizabeth Jarrett said the institute was a unique opportunity. "This was quite different from any other session," said Jarrett, Principal of P.S. 154 Harriet Tubman in New York City. "It enabled one to look at school improvement through a different lens -- focusing on learning and the processes involved. I have shifted my thinking regarding 'implementation' and am looking at how we will work as learners to support the vision we have developed."

Klaris Named Director, School Leadership Services

Generation Ready also announced the addition of Josh Klaris to their team as director of School Leadership Services. His role focuses exclusively on driving the leadership practice, consulting with schools about principal leadership, and developing and supporting ongoing leadership offerings. Klaris brings extensive experience in schools as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. Klaris also started and led DREAM Charter School in East Harlem for five years as well as served as a resident principal with the U.S. Department of Education. Klaris recently achieved his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education under Dr. Richard Elmore, whose current research and clinical work focuses on building capacity for instructional improvement in low-performing schools.

"There is an intensifying focus on instructional leadership. Josh brings us the powerful combination of extensive, recent school leadership experience and a thorough understanding of the research," said Generation Ready CEO Justin Serrano. "Our work with Dr. Elmore and the addition of Josh further enables Generation Ready to provide unique, sustained leadership development and support that will drive better instruction and better student outcomes."

About Generation Ready

Generation Ready is the only national provider of leader and teacher professional learning services that uniquely combines deep instructional job-embedded expertise, innovative technology tools, and a targeted digital content library that ensures sustained professional growth and improved student learning. For the past 20 years, our primary focus has been improving instructional practice in the classroom. Our professional learning services are experienced, evidence-based, collaborative and customized. Created through acquisition by Weld North Holdings LLC in September of 2012, Generation Ready combines the deep expertise and resources of two long-renowned education organizations -- Editure/AUSSIE Professional Development and JBHM Education Group. Our mission is to support teachers and school leaders in order to educate a stronger, more vibrant generation of students prepared to meet life's challenges. For more information, visit www.generationready.com.