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Enhancing the Number and Quality of Texas’ Teachers: The Role of Higher Education. THECB Discussion July 19, 2007 Doug Palmer, Dean College of Education and Human Development Texas A&M University. Providing a context…. Teacher knowledge and skills make a difference
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Enhancing the Number and Quality of Texas’ Teachers: The Role of Higher Education THECB Discussion July 19, 2007 Doug Palmer, Dean College of Education and Human Development Texas A&M University
Providing a context….. • Teacher knowledge and skills make a difference • Continued concern for availability of quality teachers despite…. • Multiple pathways for entry to profession • Knowledge of quality teacher preparation (a controversial conclusion) • Numerous state and national initiatives • Improved collaboration between IHE’s and LEA’s • Teacher Expertise, “Highly Qualified” Teachers, and Teacher Accountability • Teacher need and “Demand-Degradable Standards”
Moving beyond hand wringing: THECB and Improving the Teaching Workforce • Enhancing recruitment of talented teacher candidates • Retaining effective teachers • Promoting quality teacher preparation initiatives in higher education
Recruiting Talented Teacher Candidates • University student debt and career decision-making • Funding for loan forgiveness program for preparation of teachers • State programs to provide incentives for students in high need teaching areas
Retaining Effective Teachers • Career Ladder: Money is important, but role differentiation is essential – Development of graduate programs to support career development • Higher education vouchers or grants for effective teachers to pursue advanced training and graduate degrees • Incentive funding for IHE’s with programs demonstrating high retention rates and…. • Support for school leadership preparation
Promoting Quality Higher Education Teacher Preparation Initiatives • Moving beyond TExES testing • Adjusting CIPP code funding for programs with intensive field-based teacher preparation • Provide incentive support for innovative teacher preparation initiatives
A concluding reflection… • THECB can play an important leadership role in supporting IHE’s effort to: • Recruit, retain, and prepare a quality teacher workforce for Texas • Support strategic, coordinated efforts to address the need for quality teachers