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Welcome
to the Second Monthly Publication of the Policy Brief.
The purpose of this brief is to provide a resource for teacher
education professionals, administrators and students, from
which teacher preparation, recruitment, retention and renewal
programs and policies can be developed. As a service to the
members of the National Association of Community College
Teacher Education Programs, this document synthesizes the
most up-to-date national information specifically affecting
current teacher education initiatives. The Policy Brief is
developed by the National Center for Teacher Education of
the Maricopa Community Colleges. |
Public Education Network Looks at Teacher Quality
A report released from the Public
Education
Network reviews factors influencing teacher quality among novice teachers
in the United States. As the report indicates, new teachers are vital to the
teaching workforce.
The demand for new teachers continues to steadily increase, given the increases
in teacher retirement and student enrollment, lower pupil/teacher ratios, and
rising teacher attrition rates.
The purpose of the report, The Voice of the New Teacher, is to provide a tool
for developing teacher mentoring, professional development and recruitment programs,
as well as increase support for new teachers. The report can also be utilized
in strategic planning and public engagement efforts that support schools and
new teachers.
The report is intended for the individuals and organizations working to improve
the quality of teaching in their communities, and the school districts and schools
designing induction programs. It is also meant for developing policies for new
teachers and the institutions of higher education, and other organizations that
are preparing teachers to enter the profession.
The report is based on data gathered in school districts in Chattanooga, TN;
New York, NY; Seattle, WA; Washington, DC; and in the state of West Virginia.
The report also includes findings from national research pertaining to new teachers,
along with criteria and resources for developing teacher support programs.
View the full report at here.
[ASCD Smart Brief, March 4, 2004]
‘Report Card’ Gauges State Preschool Efforts
A report recently issued by the National Institute for Early Childhood Education
Research compares states on a number of state-financed preschool programs. The
report, entitled “The State of Preschool: 2003 State Preschool Yearbook,” indicates
that states still do not provide young children with high-quality educational
experiences before they begin kindergarten.
The report measures the percentage of 3- and 4-year-olds the states are serving,
how well the states are meeting specific quality benchmarks, and how much they
are spending per child. Indicators of quality include the level of education
of preschool teachers, curriculum standards, parent involvement, and whether
a meal is served during the program hours. The purpose of the report is to draw
attention to and hold states accountable for their early childhood efforts. This
year’s data will be utilized as a baseline from which future data will
be measured.
For detailed results, visit Edweek or
National Institute
for Early Education Research.
[Education Week, February 25, 2004]
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