Educators, Researchers and Advocates Release Teaching Quality Policy Road Map

A groundbreaking policy guide released today provides state lawmakers and education advocates with a blueprint for practical changes to improve teaching quality in America — one of the most critical factors to support student success. The guide recommends policies based on research and state models that have been highly effective in developing and sustaining talented and diverse teaching forces that prepare all students for college, career and life.

“Excellent Teachers for Each and Every Child: A Guide for State Policy” was created by seven organizations representing millions of students, parents, educators, and thought leaders nationwide.

The guide’s recommendations draw from substantial research evidence on teacher effectiveness and from the practices of high-achieving nations like Finland and Singapore. The document includes go-to resources for policymakers and advocates, such as:

• Recommended action steps to support policymaking and agenda-setting.
• Model legislation language and examples of successful state policies that improve teacher diversity, set a high entry bar for educators, establish career ladders and professional learning standards for teachers, fund a sustainable teaching force, and support evaluation models that drive meaningful professional growth.
• Summary recommendations on recruitment, preparation, professional development, evaluation, teaching and learning conditions, funding, and ways to develop coherent and systemic policy.

“This guide shows us how state policies around teacher recruitment strategies, clinical partnerships between educator preparation programs and PK-12 school districts, and rigorous exit measures – such as the new edTPA support and assessment system – will help us ensure that every learner is taught by an effective teacher,” said Sharon P. Robinson, Ed.D., president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. “AACTE encourages its members and state chapter leaders to use this tool as they work within states and with policymakers to develop more coherent, systemic and research-based policies for educator preparation.”

This guide provides comprehensive and practical tools for state, district, school and classroom decision makers who aim to support all students to succeed. To see the guide and related resources, please visit http://www.otlcampaign.org/policy-guides/teaching-quality.

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AACTE: Serving Learners
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) is a national alliance of educator preparation programs dedicated to the highest quality professional development of teachers and school leaders in order to enhance PK-12 student learning. The 800 institutions holding AACTE membership represent public and private colleges and universities in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. AACTE’s reach and influence fuel its mission of serving learners by providing all school personnel with superior training and continuing education. For more information, visit www.aacte.org.