“Bar Exam” for Teachers looks more likely

According to the 46th annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll, the American public sees a need for change in how teachers are prepared, meaning a higher likelihood for the teacher “bar exam”. With stunning unanimity, the American public has concluded the nation must demand more of its future teachers and those who prepare them, a new Read more about “Bar Exam” for Teachers looks more likely[…]

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New Alternative Teaching Permit Approved in Indiana

Indiana looks poised to become one of the only states to allow career professionals a direct path into teaching without prior pedagogical training. While the Indiana Attorney General and Governor still have to sign off on the bill before the end of the year, the career specialist permit has already gotten over several hurdles that Read more about New Alternative Teaching Permit Approved in Indiana[…]

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July Issue Brief: Teacher Preparation

Politicians, pundits, and the American public are seeking evidence of the quality of teacher preparation. But how can we tell if a teacher preparation program is effective? In this month’s issue brief, we have assembled perspectives on accountability for teacher preparation programs and the role of the federal government related to this issue. What is Read more about July Issue Brief: Teacher Preparation[…]

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Teacher Prep Review 2014 Report from NCTQ

Teacher Prep Review 2014 is the second edition of NCTQ‘s annual assessment of the nation’s 2,400 teacher prep programs. The Review uncovers early evidence that teacher prep programs are beginning to make changes. It arrives at a time of heightened, unprecedented activity across the nation to improve teacher preparation. Here are a few of the Read more about Teacher Prep Review 2014 Report from NCTQ[…]

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New Language for Accreditation Standards Signals Successful Compromise

The Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) has been working with representatives of teachers unions and other contributing parties to finalize new accreditation standards for teacher preparation, and these include a focus on student-achievement growth. While CAEP’s new standards still have to be approved by the accreditor’s board later this summer, the positive feedback Read more about New Language for Accreditation Standards Signals Successful Compromise[…]

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June Issue Brief: America’s Teacher Pipeline

To build a world-class educational system, America needs outstanding teachers. But how do we recruit exceptional candidates into the teaching pipeline? How do we ensure that these candidates represent the diversity of our student population? In this month’s issue brief, we have assembled information about America’s teacher pipeline problem, as well as policy ideas and Read more about June Issue Brief: America’s Teacher Pipeline[…]

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Common Core Standards Pose Teacher Prep Challenge

Like so much else in the world of teacher preparation, progress at readying new teachers for vastly different K-12 content expectations can probably best be described by one adjective: inconsistent. There are already a huge range of traditional and non-traditional teaching preparation/certification programs, each with its own particular view on education, curriculum, content requirements, geographic Read more about Common Core Standards Pose Teacher Prep Challenge[…]

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A Model Code of Ethics for Educators

NASDTEC has undertaken an important new initiative, the development of a model code of ethics for educators. The focus of this work is to provide a uniform set of standards that educators can use as they interact with colleagues, parents, and students. The goal is to provide a model code of ethics that state agencies, Read more about A Model Code of Ethics for Educators[…]

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Help NBPTS revise its new certification process

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is now recruiting! Help shape the future of National Board Certification and experience a sample of the process that thousands of teachers have called transformative. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is seeking PreK-12 grade teachers to volunteer to participate in field tests of the revised Read more about Help NBPTS revise its new certification process[…]

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Illinois scraps limits on basic skills test-taking

Just four years after passing a law mandating that prospective teachers must pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) within five attempts, Illinois state board of education officials have scrapped this law in hopes of “manipulating the pipeline” of new teachers. State officials, dismayed at the disproportionately low number of minority teachers compared to minority Read more about Illinois scraps limits on basic skills test-taking[…]

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ETS Wades Into Market for Teacher-Performance Exams

Following on the heels of the announcement by the AFT about a “bar-exam for teachers” and announcements by states of prospective teacher tests that include practical teaching elements, the educational testing giant ETS will begin offering their own version of this sort of test. Field-testing began last month for the Princeton, N.J.-based Educational Testing Service‘s Read more about ETS Wades Into Market for Teacher-Performance Exams[…]

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Three New Policy Briefs from the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders

The Center on Great Teachers and Leaders has a running, “Ask the Team” series of briefs in which they dilute detailed research into concise and readable form. Three briefs released recently focus on performance-based compensation, tiered licensure, and alternate certification. Performance-Based Compensation: Linking Performance to Teacher Salaries  This Ask the Team brief provides current policy Read more about Three New Policy Briefs from the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders[…]

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New Battle Looms over Indiana Teaching Requirements

Indiana is the most recent state in which the debate over the best way to certify teachers has moved to center stage. There is a new proposal moving through the Indiana Board of Education that would allow anyone with a 3.0 GPA from the four-year college at which they graduated to teach as an “adjunct” Read more about New Battle Looms over Indiana Teaching Requirements[…]

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December Issue Brief: Teacher Preparation and Licensing

With so many reports on new standards, evaluations, and assessments in K-12 education, sometimes it seems that teacher preparation receives little attention. But the landscape of teacher preparation and licensure is shifting as well. In this month’s issue brief, we focus on new standards, accreditation policies and licensure regulations that affect teachers, teacher preparation providers, Read more about December Issue Brief: Teacher Preparation and Licensing[…]

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USC’s School of Education announces long-term support for graduates

Recognizing the rising pressure to hold teachers and administrators responsible for student achievement and increased pressures on new teachers, the University of Southern California’s college of education is offering its graduates a guarantee – if they’re struggling with part of their jobs, the college will have their backs. In a new program announced recently, all Read more about USC’s School of Education announces long-term support for graduates[…]

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Partnering for Success: A 21st Century Model for Teacher Preparation

As advanced technologies enter the mainstream of everyday life, more than half of K-12 school districts are already offering – or interested in starting – blended and online learning programs. Though new school programs are evolving to personalize learning for every student using new tools and new methodologies, a national survey shows that a paltry Read more about Partnering for Success: A 21st Century Model for Teacher Preparation[…]

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