The most important indicator of student success in our classrooms is the skill and expertise of the teacher. The role of the principal comes second. Our students deserve the best teachers and principals who engage in and model life-long learning. Districts and schools must organize and maintain systems of support not only for every student to learn, but also for all school staff to improve their professional skills. RIDE will work with districts as they:
 

• Formalize and negotiate a range of strategies and incentives to recruit, hire, and retain highly qualified district and school personnel for all schools, paying particular attention to staffing low-performing schools with highly qualified and experienced staff.
   
• Provide progressive support to struggling teachers in order to improve their practice while retaining only high quality district and school personnel who have demonstrated an adequate level of performance, as determined by evaluation of both capacity and performance against established expectations.
   
• Create, in collaboration with school personnel, a cohesive system of high-quality professional development, including setting priorities, supporting and evaluating school-based professional development plans, and providing opportunities for all school personnel to participate.
   
• Require all instructional and supervisory staff to participate in professional development that is curriculum-focused, research-based, and designed to increase levels of academic achievement for all students.
   

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