<p>Sample Letter to the Editor on instructional coaching</p><p>Dear Editor,</p><p>Research has shown time and time again that the most important factor in a student’s educational success is his or her teacher. Specifically, what makes the most difference is not a teacher’s credentials, but that teacher’s classroom skill. Just like becoming a master violinist or surgeon, developing classroom skill takes guided practice. </p><p>We can give our teachers the support to improve today – not in a year when they start a turnaround plan, not in five years when graduation rates are so low and teachers are so demoralized that they flee to other schools – but today. Teachers in our most challenging schools need our support to better help students starting right now.</p><p>That’s why the NAACP wants to work with the [board, lawmakers, governor] on a teaching skill-building system in schools that serve our neediest students. We want successful teachers in high-needs schools to have the time, tools and support to share and perfect their strategies with peers. We want every teacher to have time to review each students work with colleagues and plan to solve students’ unique problems together. We want students to walk into classrooms every day for lessons their teachers have had time to practice and perfect. Rather than dreading another standardized bubble sheet test, we want students to be able to demonstrate what they learned through experiences their teachers designed to prepare them for success after high school. </p><p>Every student deserves an education that will lead to 21st Century success. That kind of learning only comes with skilled teachers. Our lead teacher plan can help ensure that such education is not reserved for the wealthy or the lucky, but that all teachers will teach all kids to the very highest levels. We’ve seen it work from Boston and the Bronx to Bakersfield and Belleville. We hope the [school board, state lawmakers, superintendent] will work with us to establish and support a lead teacher program at each of our lowest performing schools. A system that helps teachers improve can improve academic achievement at our schools too, if we’ll only give it a chance.</p><p>Sincerely,</p>