Accomplished California Teachers (ACT) is a teacher leadership network for the state of California, established in 2008.  We are funded by the Stuart Foundation and sponsored by the National Board Resource Center in the School of Education at Stanford University.  Our mission is to amplify teacher voice in educational policy and research, while providing our members with resources and support to become more effective leaders at every level – from their department or school right on up to state and national initiatives.

ACT membership is open to National Board Certified Teachers and other accomplished teachers who wish to contribute to conversations about initiatives that advance quality teaching in California. We give policymakers and the public ways to learn the views of skilled practitioners about the issues that will build and enhance the quality of the teacher workforce in the state.   We also support our members by providing access to a network of peers around the state, fellow teacher leaders with experience and resources to help members effect change in their schools and districts.

Here is a partial list of our activities and accomplishments:

• Produced and disseminated a report on teacher evaluation, which captured teacher leaders’ views on the reforms that would most improve teaching quality
• Produced a soon-to-be printed report (Spring 2012) on career pathways and professional compensation for teachers, advocating for a third-tier teacher license and appropriate compensation reform
• Gathered preliminary teacher input as research to produce a report on improved practices in assessment
• Organized an education policy forum in Sacramento, “Teaching Quality and California’s Future” – with participants and guests from major education stakeholder groups and organizations
• Participated in events and forums sponsored by research, advocacy, academic, professional organizations, including the following: Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of Education, Educacy, Educate Our State, the League of Women Voters (South San Mateo County), California Teachers Association, San Mateo County School Boards Association.
• Evaluation report used in policy discussions within districts and in a roundtable discussions organized by State Senator Carol Liu, featuring members of ACT.
• Media outreach: op-eds published in four major state newspapers (San Diego Union-Tribune, Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee), and an appearance on “Forum” at KQED-FM
• Presented at state and national conferences (CATE, NSDC, NBPTS)
• Facilitated teacher evaluation discussion workshop for teachers honored by the Carlston Family Foundation
• Organized a 2-day writing retreat for teacher leaders
• Organized film screenings and discussion panels for “American Teacher” and “Mitchell 20.”
• Our group blog, InterACT, nominated for Edublog awards (2010, 2011)