Purpose: To support research efforts, professional development, organizational and leadership enhancement, and other efforts focused on assisting school superintendents within the Black Belt region to maximize resources and improve student learning. This work is funded through an Auburn Outreach Scholarship grant.

Activities:

• Support the efforts of the Black Belt Superintendents Coalition
• Host "Best practice" conferences
• Provide professional development aimed at closing the achievement gap
• Provide training in data-driven decision making
• Establish a critical friends network to assist in self-assessment
• Collect data, keep records of meetings, and evaluate organizational progress

Anticipated Outcomes:

• Educational leaders will become even more effective due to learning new skills and strategies being used successfully elsewhere
• Educational leaders will utilize data-driven decision making focused on closing the achievement gap, aligning professional development with identified educational needs, and aligning budgets with instructional goals

The Alabama Black Belt Superintendents Coalition recently established non-profit status and plans to reach its goals of enhancing student achievement, attendance, and quality of life by working together in the spirit of cooperation. TPI was awarded an AU Outreach grant to assist these educational leaders with becoming more skillful in using data driven decision making to achieve their goal of closing the achievement gap in this region.