Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

The ASCD is a nonprofit organization comprised of educators focused on teaching and learning. At the top of the homepage are clearly marked tabs. One tab explains to users what ASCD is all about while another tab goes through the membership process. All the other tabs are related to publications, professional development, programs, education topics, and news. The ASCD puts out its own magazine called Educational Leadership. Professional development is offered via events, on-site training, online resources, and products. Programs supported by the ASCD are posted with brief descriptions. The education topics are current and geared toward many levels of educators. By selecting a topic, users are led to an introduction along with links to relevant articles and multimedia resources. The news provided covers an array of educational issues throughout the United States and sometimes is even more global.

Reflections: I think this website helps me keep abreast of current issues in the field of education. The publications are based on research studies and frequently feature real classroom/school experiences. Unlike some professional journals, the articles on ASCD are scholarly without using a great deal of jargon and scientific language. Issues are presented in a brief but coherent manner that allows for easy understanding. While literature reviews are worthwhile, it is sometimes more helpful to read articles that give a synopsis or rather an introduction to issues I may want to explore further. I enjoy using this site because the material is directly related to my profession and interests in curriculum. Being a member also has its advantages because I receive the Educational Leadership magazine and get a discount on books purchased online.

Bookmark this site to meet your own personal and professional development needs.