Teacher effectiveness, also known as the most important factor in improving student achievement, depends on whether teachers—from the beginners to the masters—continually learn more about how to reach their students. In this online-only issue, Educational Leadership, for the second time this publishing year, addresses how educators learn.

Author David Sousa kicks off the issue with a look at what he calls "brain-compatible" professional development—PD that is engaging, informative, and likely to be remembered and applied. Next is Charlotte Danielson's review of her framework for teaching. Since Danielson developed her framework more than a decade ago, educators have used this description of best practices for everything from recruitment to self-evaluation.

This issue also features two articles that show how educators can continually hone their craft through practice. Benjamin Dotger and Mara Sapon-Shevin look at how simulation exercises patterned after medical school role-plays can help teachers learn how to make teacher/parent meetings more effective. J Dianne Brederson follows with a piece that describes her quest to put into action her belief in differentiated instruction.

As enhancements to this issue, we also offer audio and video clips. For more articles on "How Teachers Learn," see our February 2009 issue. Have a great summer, and see you online once again in July when we explore the topic, "Revisiting Social Responsibility."

P.S. Be sure to join us on Inservice, the ASCD blog to share your views on these and other education issues.