head of the class a quality teacher in every pennsylvania classroom
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction
EPLC Teacher Quality and Supply Project Late 2001- January 2003 27-member study group for design and advice,
not consensus Research and data analysis Surveys of Superintendents and Deans EPLC responsible for report
Purpose
To make recommendations for the effective use of state policies to promote the presence of a qualified teacher in every Pennsylvania K-12 classroom at all times
The Report
Quality Teaching and Why it Matters Current State Policy An Expanding Federal Role Availability of Qualified Teachers Recommendations
Quality Teaching
Content knowledge Pedagogical skills Verbal ability Experience “Intangibles”
Teacher quality leads to student achievement
State Policy
Hiring Induction Professional
development Career ladders Post-retirement teaching Teacher evaluation
Expanding Federal Role
No Child Left Behind– Highly qualified teachers by 2005-06
Title II of the Higher Education Act– To be reauthorized in 2003 or 2004
Findings — Shortages
Teacher shortages — not universal, but …– Urban– Subjects
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, General science Mathematics Languages Special education
– Minorities
Minority Teachers
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Asian-PI African-Am. Hispanic Total
Teachers Students Citizens
Findings — Geography and Turnover
Geographic imbalances are big problem for urban districts
Turnover — poor– Salaries– Administrative support– Discipline– Policymaking involvement– Student motivation
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
2000-01 First 3Yrs.
First 5Yrs.
Turnover Rate
Findings — Trends
Despite continuing “over-supply” … Superintendents report:
– 16% - not enough candidates– 39% - not enough quality candidates
Fewer certificates being issued More teachers leaving their districts More emergency permits being issued
Trends — Certificates IssuedOverall 16.5% Decline
0100200300400500600700800900
1,000
1996-7 1997-8 1998-9 1999-0 2000-1 2001-2
BiologyChemistryPhysicsMath
Trends—Emergency PermitsOverall 353% Increase
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
1999-00 2000-01 2001-02
Type 01 Emergncy Permits Issued
Recommendations
Promoting and professionalizing teaching Enhancing teacher preparation and monitoring
recent reforms Addressing specific staffing problems Improving data collection, integration, and
utilization
Recommendations
Leaders and educators need to promote the profession
Require use of new evaluation forms or local forms that use the same standards
Use new evaluations instead of PDAP Promote NBPTS Align local planning; recognize teacher
development
Recommendations
2-year induction; train mentors Re-examine minimum salary More focused use of Act 48 Improve teacher work environment to promote
recruitment and retention
Recommendations
Enhancing teacher preparation and monitoring recent reforms
– Total of 3 recommendations
Recommendations
Determine effectiveness of current Chapters 49 and 354 in revising them
Integrate 49/354 with other state policies and national accreditation standards
Fund teacher participation in program approval teams
Recommendations
State funded teacher recruitment program for districts with significant problems
Determine if PDE can help recruit for districts 49/354 review should focus on hard-to-staff
positions Increase number of qualified minority teachers State attention to substitutes; look at Allegheny
County
Recommendations
Allow retirees to teach 190 days Ensure adequacy of tests for 7th and 8th grade
teachers under NCLB Tighten state NCLB policy on certification of
candidates from national training programs Strengthen reading teaching skills of teachers
of young children
Recommendations
PDE should use online professional development strategically to promote other priorities
Consider impact of early retirement on teacher shortages
Continue participating in Mid-Atlantic Regional Teachers Project
State online application and recruitment service
Recommendations
Improving data collection, integration, and utilization
– Total of 3 recommendations
Recommendations
Continue integrating PDE databases PDE should conduct comprehensive teacher
corps census every 5 years School districts should report data more
carefully