CALIFORNIA

Mary Kay Luczynski, Northridge
7th Grade Teacher
Nobel Middle School
Partners: Judy Colvin, Jodi Heffner, Jocelyn Morales, Sarah Sharp
Ms. Luczynski and her partners created a lesson study design group to learn how to develop high-quality, standards-based lessons and student assessments. After determining the learning needs of their students, the teachers develop a rubric that assesses student learning and lessons that address the skills in the rubric. Each teacher presents a lesson, which is videotaped. The study group reflects on the videotapes and offers suggestions for enhancing these lessons before using them in the classroom.

Martha Stuffler, Irvine
Academic Chair and Professor of Economics
Irvine Valley College
To increase the effectiveness of the economics department at Irvine Valley College, Ms. Stuffler is taking distance-learning assessment theory courses online through Loyola Marymount University. In these courses, Ms. Stuffler examines online and traditional classroom assessment techniques. She shares this knowledge with her colleagues and the college's administration to develop Internet resources and courses.

INDIANA

Jan Shaffer, Plainfield
5th Grade Teacher
Brentwood Elementary School
Partners: Stacy Davis, Madalin Eakes, Brian Nelson, Jacki Rogers
To better meet the needs of their economically disadvantaged students, Ms. Shaffer and her partners observe classrooms in the Brazosport Independent School District, which successfully helped more than 90 percent of its students meet Texas state standards. These teachers, who represent each grade level at Brentwood Elementary School, share the practices they observe in three Brazosport elementary schools with their colleagues. To improve student achievement, Ms. Shaffer and her partners mentor colleagues in the use of test data to plan and assess instruction.

NEVADA

Paula Newman, Las Vegas
Career Center Coordinator
Silverado High School
To boost the number of college-bound graduates in Nevada—where only 20 percent of high school graduates pursue higher education—Ms. Newman attends a weeklong advanced certification course in college counseling at the University of California, San Diego. The course addresses admission options, counseling of minority students, transition to college, and best practices in helping students plan for college. Ms. Newman plans to share what she learns with other counselors in the district.