It is not trite to say that teachers' working conditions are students' learning conditions. That fact is obvious to teachers and proven by researchers. For over a decade, a small but mighty force of educators, researchers, and policy wonks has been driving states to administer a Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey to all teachers and administrators as well as to education support professionals. In the states that have used this tool, the survey results have made a strong impact, but there are so many other states and school districts that owe it to their students to engage in this practice.
The New Teacher Center in Santa Cruz, California, under the leadership of Ellen Moir, recognized that a key to improving student learning was providing good working and learning conditions. They knew that those conditions must be optimal for teachers and students to function at a highly effective level. Moir unleashed Eric Hirsch and Ann Maddock to champion this strategic tool with governors, superintendents, and policymakers. The New Teacher Center team has helped some key states design comprehensive teacher effectiveness plans around this survey.
