NUA Director: Marilyn Zaretsky
Albany Liaison / Director: Dr. Tresa Diggs
DESCRIPTION: The City School District or Albany (CSDA) formed a collaborative partnership with the National Urban Alliance during the 2005-06 school year to create, design, and implement a systemic, long-range, rigorous instructional leadership and professional development program to raise the achievement levels of ALL students and to eliminate the achievement gaps between racial/ethnic and economic groups. The goal was to build the instructional capacity of teachers to build meaningful relationships with their students and equip their students with the skills and cognitive processes that strengthen their competence and confidence necessary to perform at the highest levels. In addition, the goal was to build capacity within the district to sustain the processes and practices. All schools Pre K - 12 participate in the the initiative.
PROJECT GOALS: The goal of the partnership is to provide a series of research-based professional development activities for teachers and administrators that are designed to build a common set of understandings regarding learning and teaching, to introduce powerful pedagogy that transforms learning, and to develop a district-wide set of expectations and experiences, a common language of learning and teaching, and a shared vision that propels learning. The professional development activities supporting these goals include highly interactive large group conference-style sessions, as well as site visits in which participating teachers observe demonstration lessons, co-teach, and participate in peer-to-peer coaching.
NEWS
Albany and Bridgeport Teachers To Learn Revolutionary Teaching Methods Consulate General of Israel in New York Press Release (Ocotober 2008)At a workshop on 23-24 October 2008, held in Woodbury, New York, teachers and administrators from schools in Albany, New York and Bridgeport, Connecticut began training in a program to introduce a radical approach to learning. They learned groundbreaking educational techniques from educational experts from the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education (NUA) and the Jerusalem-based International Center for the Enhancement of Learning Potential (ICELP). These new developments can radically improve students’ education, raise their scores on tests, and ensure that students mistakenly slated for special education can function well in the standard classroom. READ MORE
Bridgeport and Albany Teachers Receive Certification in Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (IE) program - Press Release - The Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) is a classroom curriculum designed to enhance the cognitive functions necessary for academic learning and achievement. The fundamental assumption of the program is that intelligence is dynamic and modifiable, not static or fixed. The belief is that talent and intelligence is a process which can be guided and developed by good teaching; not as something we have inherited and derived solely from our genes, but as something we can do and improve through deliberative practice. Designed as a two- or three-year program in three levels, FIE consists of fourteen instruments, which are taught through a multi-level certification process.READ ALBANY PRESS RELEASE HERE
District students in grades 3-8 achieve strongest ELA gains ever (ALBANY, NY, May 7, 2009-- City School District of Albany) City School District of Albany elementary and middle school students continued raising their level of success on the state English language arts exam this year with the most significant achievement gains ever. All of the district’s elementary and middle schools exceeded New York State Education Department ELA benchmarks for students in grades 3-8. A range of programs and services in which the district and community have invested in recent years are contributing to the growing success rate, Dr. Joseph said. These include: Strong, consistent professional development programs for teachers, including partnerships with the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education READ MORE HERE
Making the Grade in Albany (CBS 6, WRGB-TV (November 25, 2008) There are many needs and challenges facing students in inner city schools. New York City is receiving accolades for their accomplishments in helping student test scores to rise, but New York City is not alone. Test scores from students in the Albany School District are rising even faster than those in New York City, and the Superintendent says the National Urban Alliance is a big part of the district's recipe for success.READ MORE; VIEW INTERVIEW
State Test Results Show Continued Strong Gains For Alabny's Public Schools In 2007-08 (Albany Public Schools Press Release | Ron Lesko 6.23.08) City School District of Albany elementary and middle-school students made significant gains in academic achievement this school year, according to math and English language arts test data the New York State Department of Education released Monday; Overall in grades 3-8, 14 percent more students achieved Level 3 or Level 4 in ELA in 2007-08, while 21 percent more students achieved the two highest levels in math; Superintendent Eva C. Joseph pointed to several ongoing professional development initiatives as key factors in the improving test results, including that the district is in the third year of its partnership with the National Urban Alliance. READ MORE
