What Role Do ASCD’s Authors, Researchers,
and Faculty Members Play?

“[Will] educational leaders at the building level and district level seize the opportunity to make a profound difference in the achievement of their students through strong and thoughtful leadership?” Robert Marzano, Timothy Waters, and Brian A. McNulty posed this question in their book School Leadership That Works in 2005, and it is even more relevant now.

Educators need professional development that results in high-quality teachers and high achievement for all students. With that aim at its core, ASCD’s capacity-building professional development program provides customized, face-to-face and electronic professional learning opportunities.

ASCD has the distinct advantage of being able to work with authors and researchers who provide technical assistance and professional development. These authors include

• Carol Ann Tomlinson on differentiated instruction

• Robert Marzano on the Art and Science of Teaching, Building Academic Vocabulary and Background Knowledge, and What Works in Schools

• Jay Mc Tighe and Grant Wiggins on Understanding by Design (UbD) and assessment

The tops in their respective fields, these and other experts have each developed a cadre of knowledgeable faculty members who meet with them regularly and represent the work in the field.

“The UbD cadre is composed of veteran educators and highly knowledgeable UbD trainers,” Wiggins explains. “Jay and I have personally worked with the cadre over many years to ensure that they understand UbD, so you can be confident that our team can help you advance curriculum design locally.”

ASCD provides a customized approach to professional development for each school or district, allowing us to work side-by-side with education leaders as they seek solutions to the challenges they face in their schools.