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Chad Dumas

Chad Dumas, EdD, focuses primarily on collaborating to develop capacity for continuous improvement. An international educational presenter and award-winning researcher, he has led nationally recognized improvements for both students and staff.

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Chad Dumas

Chad Dumas, EdD, focuses primarily on collaborating with school leaders to develop capacity for continuous improvement. An international educational presenter and award-winning researcher, he has led nationally recognized improvements for both students and staff.

Dr. Dumas has served in a variety of roles, from classroom teacher to central office leader, and in districts of a few hundred students to many thousands. He brings passion, knowledge, and skills to writing and speaking that engages participants in meaningful and practical learning. By seamlessly weaving engaging stories with education research and offering hands-on tools with clear processes, he offers readers and audiences useful knowledge and skills they can implement immediately.

An author of numerous journal articles and books, Dr. Dumas focuses his work on the role of the school principal and the work of the whole school to improve effectiveness and results for students. The results of his work speak for themselves. One high-poverty, high-diversity district was identified as “Persistently Lowest Achieving” prior to his arrival, and within a few years multiple schools were recognized as Model PLC Schools for improving student learning.

Dr. Dumas has served on and led accreditation visits around the world, presented nationally and internationally, and collaborated with school boards, intermediate service agencies, state departments of education, and professional associations.


Assessment Collaborative

Assessment Collaborative experts have proven success in developing and implementing sustainable assessment practices that garner hope through achievement. Work with them to create assessment systems that provide accurate, meaningful, and actionable information to drive student learning.

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Priority Schools in a PLC at Work®

Hand-selected and trained by PLC at Work champions our Priority Schools in a PLC at Work experts have proven success in leading the PLC at Work process and have specific experience with the unique challenges that face schools labeled as low performing. Work with them to identify and prioritize critical areas of growth to implement changes in a timely manner with a focus on student achievement.

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PLC at Work®

PLC at Work® experts have proven success in leading the PLC at Work process in a school or district. Work with them to implement a focus on learning, build a collaborative culture, and create a results orientation that leads to sustained, substantive school improvement.

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Presentations by Chad Dumas

  • The Collaborative Leadership Academy: People, Processes, Tools, and Tips
  • How to Lead Change: Increasing Effectiveness and Results
  • Making Meetings Work for All
  • Identifying and Unpacking Priority Standards
  • Assessment Literacy and Development
  • A Retreat with Data
  • Strategic Planning with Purpose
  • Standards-Based Grading Priorities and Practices
  • Curriculum Development and Alignment
  • Maximizing Our Impact: Using the Standards of Professional Learning

"Dr. Dumas is a phenomenal facilitator. His ability to model best practices while sharing new content with a team of administrators was done in a way where we stayed engaged over the two days."

Mike Hall, principal, Westfield Washington Schools, Indiana

"The format was very valuable with plenty of discussion, reflection, and a variety of ways to explore the content. I felt very comfortable asking questions about the topic because Chad created a space for inquiry and dialogue."

Christine Dekker, kindergarten teacher, Moraga ESD, California

"Chad was just what we needed when we needed it. His preparation, knowledge, and approach were amazing."

John F. Atha, assistant superintendent, Westfield Washington Schools, Indiana