Downers Grove, IL (May 2-3, 2013) ~ Approximately 125 participants from 17 districts represented by teams made up of union and teacher leaders, school and district administrators and school board members participated in the May 2-3, 2013 Great Lakes TURN forum: The Changing Profession - Linking the Moving Parts: Teacher Evaluation, Student Learning and the Common Core!

Orlando FL (March 9-10, 2013) ~ Local leaders and labor-management teams from 14 districts and 7 states convened for a in-depth look at comprehensive teacher evalution, featuring the Empowering Effective Teachers Initiative in nearby Hillsborough County, Florida.  Supported through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, EET has committed the district to develop a new-teacher induction program, and improve teacher & principal evaluation systems, the professional development system, as well as provide incentives for teachers to work with highest needs students and the entire compensation plan. 

Cambridge MA (March 1-2, 2013) ~ Over seventy participants from 25 organizations and twelve labor-management teams met on March 1-2, 2013 to delve into the Common Core State Standards. Participants explored ways to establish and improve programs and policies for improved teaching effectiveness and student learning, and examined the common core standards and how to link that work to teacher practice.

Denver CO (Feb 8-9, 2013) ~ Sixty participants representing 19 locals from 7 stated convened in Denver to address two themes: Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) and Peer Assistance and Review (PAR). Pictured here is Calin Kendall, President of Olathe Education Association, KS, talking about their PAR program during a Level 1 session.