GLOBAL
National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education (NCSPE). Panel Discussion of Chinese Edition of “Education & the Commercial Mindset” While policymakers in the United States and Sweden turned to the market, their counterparts in Finland persisted with government action in the form of investment in better teacher preparation and pay as well as curricular enrichment.
The Conversation [AUS]. A new review into how teachers are educated should acknowledge they learn throughout their careers (not just at the start) Given there is a worldwide shortage of teachers, now is not the time to suggest a punitive response to matters of quality in initial teacher education, or to provide a multi-tier funding structure. Rather, we need more understanding of the funding and resources required to support preservice teachers to be the best they can be before they enter the classroom.
The Guardian. Student teachers should spend more time on practical skills, less time on philosophy of education, panel recommends An expert panel has outlined plans to radically reform degrees to improve teaching courses and address workforce shortages in Australia
Washington Post. In Afghanistan, women and girls are being erased …the secret schools are opening again, with girls coming to learn from women who may never have been teachers before, but who now quite literally risk their lives to beat the darkness back… This is what we left home to protect. A girl with the right to read, and to learn, and to have the freedom to grow into an educated woman who will teach other girls.
UNITED STATES
AACTE. Can We Have It All: Speed and Scale of Alternative Programs with the Quality of University-based Teacher Preparation? The Understanding the Landscape of Alternative Preparation session at ACTE 2023 brought together several leaders in the space of university-based alternative programs… The panelists spoke of dismantling antiquated systems in their teacher preparation programs and creating systems that more closely align to the values and beliefs of their institutions.
AAQEP. March Update.
Chalkbeat. Tutoring isn’t reaching most students. Here’s how to vastly expand it. One natural talent pool is the country’s estimated 600,000 aspiring teachers. Before they begin student teaching, educators-in-training often spend extensive time observing K-12 classrooms. But some teacher training programs have started using that time for tutoring, which lets aspiring teachers gain experience while assisting students.
CNN. More Black men are needed in the classroom, diversity advocates say Sharif El-Mekki, founder and chief executive officer of the Center for Black Educator Development, says in order to create a pipeline of Black male teachers, recruitment and clinical experience must start at an earlier age… also says many Black male students are not being encouraged by their school leaders to pursue teaching. So when education groups try to recruit them after college, many aren’t interested in the field.
EdSurge. One Idea to Keep Teachers From Quitting — End the Teacher Time Crunch After somewhat predictable sections about low teacher pay and the need for better teacher-training pathways, the report includes a section on a topic so mundane it’s almost startling: “Demonstrate Respect and Value for Teacher Time.”… Even if schools have high-quality curricula that can take some lesson-planning off teachers’ shoulders, they can’t use it if they don’t have time or aren’t trained on how to use it.
EdWeek.
1) How to Make the Science of Reading Work for Teachers States are making important moves to improve the way reading is taught in their schools, but the choices leaders face aren’t easy. Many are wrestling with new literacy legislation that responds to stagnant national reading scores and teachers’ reports that they did not adequately learn to teach children to read in their teacher-preparation programs.
2) Stop Trying to Recruit Black Teachers Until You Can Retain the Ones You Have: The urgent need to improve Black teacher retention [by TC Prof B. L. Love] For school and district leaders ready to get serious about retaining Black teachers, one good place to start is with the recommendations by the Center for Black Educator Development and Teach Plus for supporting Black teachers. These recommendations include assigning mentors, convening affinity groups to facilitate their personal growth and identity development, and implementing culturally responsive curricula.
3) Teacher Apprenticeships Are Booming in Wake of Shortages. Here’s What You Need to Know An apprenticeship, or residency, program allows prospective teachers to undergo training through a teacher preparation program while they work in schools and earn a paycheck. Registering such a program with the U.S. Department of Labor opens up federal funding to pay for tuition assistance, wages, and other supportive services…
4) The English Learner Population Is Growing. Is Teacher Training Keeping Pace? States—which have greater control over enacting English learner policies—could require training in best practices for English learners as part of teacher recertification… Preservice training for all teachers should also incorporate best practices for English learners…
5) The Origins of Racial Inequality in Education: Columbia University report examines the origins of racial inequality in the United States … researchers such as Eric Duncan, director for P-12 policy at The Education Trust, praise this report for offering teachers context they lack from their own experience as students. “You can’t expect that our teaching population who have gone through schooling in America would understand this context, because it’s not taught in traditional settings,” Duncan said.
Hechinger Report.
1) Inside a growing federal effort to prepare students for cybersecurity careers CTE CyberNet, launched by the Department of Education, trains teachers how to start cybersecurity programs at their schools “We need to educate the teachers on how to educate the students … on how to secure their devices, their information”… ““As we build awareness, we can also then fuel the pipeline of talent, fuel the pipeline of teachers who are going to bring that talent to work readiness,”…
2) Toddlers need social emotional learning, teachers say: Though controversial in older grades, cultivating emotional intelligence has become more urgent with the youngest kids …research shows that providing strong social-emotional training to teachers in early learning programs can help lessen chronic and frequent preschool suspensions — if those supports are done right.
NEA News. ‘It’s Going to Start in the Classroom’: Aspiring Educators on Protecting Democracy During this uncivil period in U.S. history, NEA Aspiring Educators are partnering with their unions to deliver change and explore how to teach students about these tumultuous times.
Oklahoma News4. Department of Education seeks to revoke teaching license of former Norman teacher no longer working in Oklahoma Summer Boismier voluntarily resigned her position as a Norman High School English teacher on August 24, 2022, after a parent filed a complaint with the district for violating the law by sharing a QR code to the Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned program that gives nationwide access to books that have been banned in school districts… Boismier has since moved to New York to work with the Brooklyn Public Library.
Texas A&M University. Dean’s Distinguished Lecture “The ‘Problem’ of Teacher Education: Tensions and Trends” Speaker: Dr. Marilyn Cochran-Smith [Wednesday, March 29, 10:45 am – 12:00 pm. in-person at the Texas A&M Zone Club, and virtually via livestream]
NEW YORK STATE
NYSED. Statement From Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. and Commissioner Betty A. Rosa on Board of Regents Appointments Congratulations to Regents Judith Chin and Aramina Vega Ferrer on their reelection to the Board of Regents, and we are pleased to welcome Adrian Hale of Rochester, who will represent the 7th Judicial District. Each of these individuals’ unique set of knowledge, skills, and experience is vital to the Board’s deliberations and policymaking.
NEW YORK CITY
Chalkbeat.
1) 64% of NYC’s bilingual special education students didn’t get all of their services last year At the end of last school year, just 36% of children who were assigned bilingual special education services received the correct amount of instruction from a certified bilingual teacher and in a classroom with the proper ratio of students and staff… For years, state officials have criticized the city for failing to provide bilingual special education services, placing the education department on a corrective action plan in part due to ongoing shortages of certified bilingual educators and service providers.
2) David Banks wants to bolster career education in NYC schools. Here’s how. State-approved CTE schools are widely considered the gold standard. Those programs involve strict requirements, including industry-specific teacher certifications, periodic state reviews of school curriculums, paid work experiences, and offer the chance for a special diploma designation.
Teachers College. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Take Center Stage at Annual STEAMnasium: Innovative learning opportunities convened students from local K-12 schools, TC students & more Elementary STEAM Exploration– Developed by elementary preservice teachers, Station 6 focused on the historical use of natural materials in indigenous communities. Students enjoyed experimental crafts and exercises that included making sundials to tell time, building bird nests from raw materials, and even competing in an engineering design challenge!
