Critical Friends Group

There is increasing recognition that teachers should be at the center of reform efforts and professional development activities. Ongoing learning and training for faculty and staff is essential for schools as they move away from teaching students how to succeed in a 20th century manufacturing economy to teaching them how to excel in today's 21st century technology age. 

At the heart of this initiative is a simple idea - teachers need time and structure built into their schedules to promote professional growth that is directly linked to student learning. Schools need to make sure that all teachers are exposed to the latest research on effective teaching tools and methods and that they use the research in their classrooms.

Each Critical Friends Group has at least one coach, who guides the group members as they develop collaboration skills, reflect on their practices and examine student work. Critical Friends provides an avenue for teachers and administrators to collaborate to deepen their knowledge of academic subject matter, examine their teaching practices and consider issues of whole-school change.

A Critical Friends Group works regularly together to support increased student achievement. Members:

• establish and publicly state student learning goals
• help each other think about better teaching practices
• look closely at curriculum and student work
• identify school culture issues that affect student achievement

Since 1997, more than 900 educators in the Houston area have been trained as CFG coaches through Houston A+ Challenge. Many are now leading groups on their campuses, or using CFG protocols in other ways.

Mike Webster
Houston A+ Challenge
713-658-1881