Click the Icon to Go Back to the Framework	Theme
	Staff Selection, Leadership, & Capacity Building
	District Level
	Hire highly qualified educators who "fit" with the district vision; provide opportunities for growth

Higher-performing districts acknowledge similar challenges to average-performing districts in terms of finding time for professional collaboration; however, they use resources from within and outside the district to do so and hire new employees based on a clear vision of the kind of learning environment they strive to create. This environment is characterized by an emphasis on acknowledging and building on what strengths individuals bring with them.

Hiring teachers who show the potential to actively participate in discussions and projects on student learning and providing opportunities to share work and take on facilitator roles in committees are some of the ways district and school level leaders build leadership skills in teachers and promote a climate of continual improvement.

In Binghamton City School District (NY), the district's philosophy appears as the first item on the teacher application.

In Holland Central School District (NY), tenured teachers have many alternative evaluation options, many of which support teacher collaboration.

Niagara Falls City School District (NY) evaluates administrators based on collaborative, instruction-based leadership qualities.

Niagara Falls City School District (NY) provides an Administrative Candidacy Program for leadership and administrative positions.

In Queensbury Union Free School District (NY), administrative candidates respond to questions that reflect the district's commitment to certain leadership qualities.

In Queensbury Union Free School District (NY), interview questions seek to identify effective, highly qualified teachers who fit the goals of the district.

In Utica City School District (NY), professional development acitvities are selected collaboratively by a team of stakeholders.

In Utica City School District (NY), the Professional Development Plan's guiding principles supports the frequent use of provided data analysis by the faculty.