About CEL: Overview

Everyone has a theory on how to close the achievement gap.
This is ours:

• The achievement gap will be eliminated only when the quality of instruction in the classroom improves.

• The quality of instruction will improve at scale when school leaders know what powerful instruction looks like.

• When school leaders understand powerful instruction, they can lead and guide professional development, target and align resources, engage in problem solving, and build the capacity of teachers.

School leaders have different reasons for their interest in closing the achievement gap. We have one: equity. We are committed to social justice, which for us translates to the success of all children in our nation's schools. We believe our culture and institutions are hard-wired against equity, and that we must eliminate the differences in achievement related to race, class, poverty and gender.

At the Center for Educational Leadership (CEL), located within the University of Washington (UW) College of Education, we offer opportunities for teachers, school administrators and district leaders to put our theory into practice. Some educators come to our weeklong institutes to find out why the gap persists at their school and what they can do about it. Some principals enroll in our leadership programs looking for like-minded colleagues who they can turn to for reinforcement and inspiration. Some districts partner with us to provide coaching and learning specifically designed to match the needs of their system

Learning how to teach and how to lead may start with a diploma, but doesn't end there. We have designed a continuum of learning with the University of Washington College of Education that nurtures leadership development throughout one's career. This program makes sense for leaders and helps leaders make sense of the complicated world they call school.