Recently the Center for American Progress released an article exploring the diversity and talent of the American teacher workforce. Excerpts appear below: This report examines the case for making candidate diversity and ability equally important criteria in the recruitment and selection of teachers. Looking at available evidence, the report Read more
In their new report, New Colleges of Education – A Path for Going from Concept to Reality, Education Reform Now (ERN) proposes that a new type of teacher education accreditor, not dependent on schools of education and their personnel but instead on the employers of graduates from schools of education Read more
At a recent meeting of the American Education Research Association (AERA), The Learning Policy Institute presented findings from a comprehensive study of teacher residencies across the nation. There are currently approximately 50 such programs. The best include the following key characteristics: Strong district/university partnerships Coursework about teaching and learning tightly Read more
A new report, Starting Strong: How to Improve Teachers’ Entry into the Profession, from the Center for American Progress explores the challenges facing inexperienced teachers’ entry into teaching, highlights some of the early outcomes of model programs, and proposes an expansion of supported entry programs for prospective and new teachers. Read more
Beginning educators who participate in teaching residency programs (TRPs) are more likely to remain in the same school district than teachers trained through other programs, according to research from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). A new report from ED’s National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) examines Read more
The critical issue of teacher shortages is often featured in today’s news headlines. Whether a shortage exists varies from state to state as do the root causes and the approaches states are taking to address the issue. To support policymakers, Education Commission of the States conducted extensive research on the Read more
America’s traditional teacher preparation programs are under siege; enrollment is dwindling, as prospective teachers turn to increasingly popular alternative programs. There are calls for regulators to step in to shut down the worst institutions and help many others improve. But where should experts look for best practices? A panel of Read more
As this blog reported, the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act was signed into law on December 10, 2015. The new law, deemed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is good for the next four years. SY2016-17 is a transition year, and the law will be in full effect in Read more
Urban Teacher Residency United has released a new report titled Clinically Oriented Teacher Preparation. This report examines how preparation programs around the country are adopting core components of a residency model to innovate and improve teacher education through robust clinical experiences. A brief overview: Clinically Oriented Teacher Preparation (COTP) shares Read more
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 Read more
Teach for America is no stranger to controversy. For some, they are the poster child for the new wave of urban education and should be commended for the way that they are able to recruit highly talented, motivated college graduates to devote at least 2 years to teaching in nigh-needs Read more
The New York Times’ Room for Debate blog is known for asking provocative questions and soliciting opinions from a wide range of voices. This week, they ask, In its second decade, is Teach for America (TFA) still a good idea? Responses vary widely: Julian Vasquez Heilig of the University of Read more