Continuum of Teacher Developmentand Shared Accountability

Leading to Increased Student Performance

Teaching Quality Policy Center Education Commission of the States

Continuum of Teacher Developmentand Shared Accountability

Leading to Increased Student Performance

Teaching Quality Policy Center Education Commission of the States

Teacher Development –The Teachers We Want

Become nation-builders by:• advancing the academic, social, civic, talents

and personal achievement of all students• promoting the public’s understanding and

support of education• growing professionally and promoting the

profession of teaching

Teacher Development –The Teachers We Want

• have thorough knowledge of the subjects they teach • know how students learn• demonstrate the ability to assess and increase student

learning • manage classrooms effectively• care about the academic, social, civic, and personal

success of all students• use technology effectively to promote student learning• collaborate with colleagues, parents, & community

members to advance positive learning environments• are active and reflective learners

Teacher Development –The Teachers We Want

Do we find them or prepare them?…must we choose between:

• individual talent vs. preparation• focus on outputs vs. focus on inputs • content knowledge vs. pedagogical skills• alternative vs. traditional programs

Teacher Development –The Teachers We Want

Both!…the choices are not real choices, but:

• higher education must build more developmentally appropriate and accessible entry routes into teaching

• states must develop better policies and programs that support the success of teachers regardless of entry route

Teacher Development – The Teachers We Want

Assuring quality teachers relies on effective programs and accountability systems with a balanced focus on:

• Recruitment• Preparation• Initial Licensure• Employment & Induction• Continuing Licensure• Retention• Professional Development

Teacher Development - Leading to Increased Student Performance

Recruitment PreparationInitial

LicenseContinuing

LicenseRetention &

Professional Development

Employment &

Induction

Higher Levels ofAchievement

for AllStudents

Teacher Development – Recruitment

Recruitment and scholarships programs for:• middle grades and high school students Teacher Cadet, FTA clubs, & scholarships to attract talented students

• community college students Well-articulated 2+2, degree-completion programs

• undergraduate and graduate college/university students 4 & 5 year programs, MATs, and license-only programs

• paraprofessionals & mid-career professionals Flexible/accessible programs designed for working adults

• previously licensed teachers and other educators Special incentives and programs to “fast-track” re-licensure

Quality and Accountability - Recruitment

Tracking different programs and populations for:• acceptance into traditional or non-traditional

teacher preparation programs• completion of all requirements for full

licensure• entrance into teaching and for how long• academic performance and diversity of those

accepted, completing, and entering teaching• evidence of improving student achievement

for those they teach• other evidence of success in the profession

Teacher Development –Preparation

Accredited programs characterized by:• liberal arts courses that assure candidates possess

the knowledge and understanding of the content they will teach

• pedagogical courses that assure candidates know how students learn, how to teach their content, and how to manage classes for increased student learning

• clinical, field, & intern experiences that assure candidates have the applied knowledge of teaching and learning with different students in different schools and communities

Quality and Accountability - Preparation

Departments of education and higher education institutions report uniform data on:

• grade point averages in the teaching content area and overall

• scores on state and nationally-normed measures of content and pedagogy

• confirmation of the candidate’s ability to promote student learning through examples of PK-12 student work

• yearly surveys of all new teachers and their employers

Teacher Development –Initial License

Recommended for licensure by preparation program and public school personnel by:

• successfully completing all liberal arts and pedagogical content courses

• successfully completing all clinical, field and internship experiences, including providing work sample evidence of ability to increase student learning

• passing all state-mandated licensing examinations

Quality and Accountability - Initial License

Completion of all initial licensure standards from an accredited state-approved program with:

• acceptable scores on state and/or national measures of content and pedagogy

• evidence of candidate’s ability to increase students learning

• additional evidence of likely success • recommendations from teacher preparation

professionals and practicing teachers

Teacher Development –Employment & Induction

Hiring, placement, and induction characterized by:• customer-friendly application-interview process• timely notification of employment, school

assignment, and teaching schedule• in-field teaching assignments and limited preps• minimal additional non-instructional duties,

especially for beginning teachers• comprehensive induction program• trained mentor with time to observe and meet

Quality and Accountability - Employment & Induction

The district and the state collects and reports uniform data over time on:

• applicant-to-employment numbers and ratios• numbers of licensed and un-licensed teachers• out-of-field teaching assignments• non-instructional duties of all teachers• teacher turnover rates• evaluation data on district and school

induction and mentoring programs

Teacher Development –Continuing License

Continuing licenses are based on multiple measures, including:

• successful participation in an appropriate induction program, supported by a trained mentor

• observations by administrators and peers and provided with specific feedback in a timely manner and support to improve practice

• successful scores on all state-mandated tests and/or portfolio assessments, including evidence of increasing student learning

Quality and Accountability -Continuing License

State and district reports data on the granting of a continuing license to teach based on:

• classroom observations and evaluation ratings by administration and teaching peers

• passing scores on state-mandated tests• evidence of increased student learning

disaggregated by race and gender

Teacher Development –Retention

Retention is increased where there is:• leadership that promotes both high expectations

and conditions of success for teaching and learning

• in-field teaching assignments and limited teaching preparations

• time to plan, reflect and to meet with peers, parents, and students

• ready access to instructional tools and materials• access and support to participate in advanced

study and high quality professional development

Quality and Accountability - Retention

Data on state, district, and school level teacher retention and retention programs, including:

• surveys of teacher satisfaction with teaching conditions and school leadership

• evidence that districts and schools implement programs designed to retain effective teachers, especially in hard-to-staff schools

• exit interviews with all teachers who transfer within districts or resign from the district

Teacher Development –Professional Development

Effective professional development is:• standards and research-based• aligned with school, district, and state student

learning goals• focused on content to advance student learning• extended over time to allow for practice and

feedback of new knowledge and skills• developmentally appropriate and career long• rewarded by advanced degrees, certifications,

and enhanced salary

Quality and Accountability - Professional Development

Data is collected to report on:• policies that encourage and support teachers

to participate in professional development and advanced studies

• evidence of teacher success and student achievement linked to professional development and advanced studies

• the effect of state, district, & school-based professional development in supporting safe, orderly, drug-free, caring, and community-connected schools

Continuum of Teacher Development and Shared AccountabilityLeading to Increased Student Performance

RECRUIT-MENT

PREPARATION

Liberal Arts

Courses

Clinical, Field & Intern

Experiences

Pedagogical Content Course

InitialLicense

RETENTION & DEVELOPMENT

Mentor Support

NBPTS Preparation

& other Master Teacher

Preparation

Advanced Academic

Study

Aligned & Standards Based

Professional Growth Activities

Higher Levels of Learning For All

Students

Employment&

Induction

LONG-RANGE GOAL

FEEDBACK

College Students

Mid-Career &

Para-professionals

ContinuingLicense

Teacher Cadet &

FT Clubs

Performance Based

PerformanceBased

PRE-SERVICE4 Year, Graduate or

Alternative Route

IN-SERVICEInitial Employment

To Retirement

Quality Systems