Attracting and Developing High-Quality Teachers. Newsletter

Download or read book Attracting and Developing High-Quality Teachers. Newsletter written by and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 4 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Researchers, policymakers, and education leaders agree that teacher quality is a vital factor in improving student achievement. Therefore, it is imperative that states and districts recruit, develop, and retain high-quality teachers to ensure that all children are provided with an adequate education. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) initially required that all practicing public school teachers across the nation be deemed highly qualified by the end of the 2005/2006 school year. Despite the demand for more highly qualified teachers, most states did not meet this benchmark. Even though the deadline was extended an additional year, some states and districts still face a major teacher crisis. High teacher turnover rates and teacher shortages, especially in areas such as mathematics, science, and special education, have left many states and districts scrambling to find ways to recruit and/or develop highly qualified teachers. This newsletter highlights several strategies that may be useful in attracting and developing high-quality teachers, including (1) recruitment planning; (2) assistance for certification of paraprofessionals already in the classroom; and (3) partnering with local teacher preparation and alternative licensing programs. The newsletter concludes that no single strategy will significantly make a difference in recruiting or developing highly qualified teachers. To be most effective, districts should assess their needs and incorporate several strategies in their plans to increase the number of highly qualified teachers. [This document was produced by The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement, administered by Learning Point Associates in partnership with the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) and WestEd, under contract with the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education.].