Preparing English Learners for College and Career


Book Description

How do school communities create environments that fully prepare both English learners and dual-language learners for colleges and careers? This valuable book profiles six high-performing high schools that had a singular focus on improving the educational outcomes of English learners. The authors use these case studies to identify a comprehensive set of design elements and shared values that were key factors in yielding extraordinary results. These include a school-wide language development framework that integrates content, analytical practices, and language learning; a broad and dynamic view of assessment practices; intensive social-emotional support for students and their families; and mission-driven staff and leadership that maximize learning opportunities across classrooms. The practices employed in these schools are not only essential for English learners’ success but, as the performance data shows, they also benefit all students. “This is my kind of change book: clear and deep; causes one to think; and inspires the reader to what may be possible on a wide scale.” —From the foreword by Michael Fullan, professor emeritus, University of Toronto “The schools featured in this set of beautifully drawn case studies reveal how they managed to beat the odds for their students—and there is much to learn by looking closely at what made them so effective.” —Lilly Wong Fillmore, professor, University of California, Berkeley “This book is a rich resource for all educators driven to ensure that all multilingual learners are ready for college and career.” —Angélica Infante-Green, deputy commissioner, New York State Education Department




Preparing Teachers


Book Description

Teachers make a difference. The success of any plan for improving educational outcomes depends on the teachers who carry it out and thus on the abilities of those attracted to the field and their preparation. Yet there are many questions about how teachers are being prepared and how they ought to be prepared. Yet, teacher preparation is often treated as an afterthought in discussions of improving the public education system. Preparing Teachers addresses the issue of teacher preparation with specific attention to reading, mathematics, and science. The book evaluates the characteristics of the candidates who enter teacher preparation programs, the sorts of instruction and experiences teacher candidates receive in preparation programs, and the extent that the required instruction and experiences are consistent with converging scientific evidence. Preparing Teachers also identifies a need for a data collection model to provide valid and reliable information about the content knowledge, pedagogical competence, and effectiveness of graduates from the various kinds of teacher preparation programs. Federal and state policy makers need reliable, outcomes-based information to make sound decisions, and teacher educators need to know how best to contribute to the development of effective teachers. Clearer understanding of the content and character of effective teacher preparation is critical to improving it and to ensuring that the same critiques and questions are not being repeated 10 years from now.




Preparing Effective Special Education Teachers


Book Description

"What tools are in the toolkit of an excellent special educator, and how can teacher preparation programs provide these tools in the most efficient, effective way possible? This practical, clearly written book is grounded in current research and policy as well as the author's extensive experience as a teacher educator. It identifies what special education teachers need to know to work competently with students with a wide variety of learning challenges and disabilities. Chapters present specific guidelines for helping teacher candidates build critical skills for instruction and assessment, get the most out of field placements, and collaborate successfully with other school personnel and with parents. Subject Areas/Keywords: assessments, curriculum, disabilities, exceptional children, field work, IEPs, inclusion, instruction, learning, lessons, professional development, special education, special needs, standards, students, teacher preparation programs, teacher training, teachers, teaching Audience: Teacher educators in special education, graduate students preparing to be teacher educators, and school district personnel who provide staff development for special education teachers"--




Preparing Teachers for a Changing World


Book Description

Based on rapid advances in what is known about how people learn and how to teach effectively, this important book examines the core concepts and central pedagogies that should be at the heart of any teacher education program. Stemming from the results of a commission sponsored by the National Academy of Education, Preparing Teachers for a Changing World recommends the creation of an informed teacher education curriculum with the common elements that represent state-of-the-art standards for the profession. Written for teacher educators in both traditional and alternative programs, university and school system leaders, teachers, staff development professionals, researchers, and educational policymakers, the book addresses the key foundational knowledge for teaching and discusses how to implement that knowledge within the classroom. Preparing Teachers for a Changing World recommends that, in addition to strong subject matter knowledge, all new teachers have a basic understanding of how people learn and develop, as well as how children acquire and use language, which is the currency of education. In addition, the book suggests that teaching professionals must be able to apply that knowledge in developing curriculum that attends to students' needs, the demands of the content, and the social purposes of education: in teaching specific subject matter to diverse students, in managing the classroom, assessing student performance, and using technology in the classroom.







Preparing Teachers to Teach the STEM Disciplines in America’s Urban Schools


Book Description

Bridging a gap in the literature by offering a comprehensive look at how STEM teacher education programs evolve over time, this book explores teachHOUSTON, a designer teacher education program that was created to respond to the lack of adequately prepared STEM teachers in Houston and the emerging urban school districts that surround it.




Dispositional Development and Assessment in Teacher Preparation Programs


Book Description

Little research exists on teacher dispositions, yet accrediting bodies such as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) require dispositional assessment as an integral part of teacher preparation programs. Furthermore, research has shown that dispositions are a key indicator in teacher success both in terms of instructional effectiveness and long-term retention. Teacher preparation programs require research examples and support in understanding the desired dispositions of teachers as well as how to implement these qualities and characteristics into a robust curriculum. Teacher preparation programs also need help in articulating how to assess dispositional traits of teachers and how to provide remediation in this area. Dispositional Development and Assessment in Teacher Preparation Programs addresses dispositional development for teachers including the definition, instruction, practical application, and assessment of dispositional traits. It includes research involving teacher development and preparation for the enhancement of instructional practices and teacher retention. Covering topics such as culturally relevant pedagogy, social emotional learning, and teaching philosophy, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for preservice teachers, teacher preparation programs, faculty and administration of K-12 and higher education, academic libraries, accrediting bodies, researchers, and academicians.




Teacher Preparation Initiatives


Book Description

This hearing focused on the subject of teacher recruitment and preparation. The hearing began with opening statements by several Congressmen (the Honorable Frank Riggs, Matthew Martinez, William Gooding, George Miller, and Robert Scott). Following the opening statements were statements by the Honorable Eugene Hickock, Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Mr. E.D. Hirsh, Jr., President, Core Knowledge Foundation, Charlottesville, VA; Dr. Eric Hanushek, Director, W. Allen Wallis Institute of Political Economy, University of Rochester, NY; Dr. Richard Ingersoll, Professor of Sociology, University of Georgia, Athens; Ms. C. Emily Feistritzer, President, National Center for Educational Information, Washington, DC; Dr. Dale Ballou, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts, MA; Ms. Kati Haycock, President, the Education Trust, Inc., Washington, DC.; Mr. Paul F. Steidler, Director, Alexis de Toqueville Institution, Arlington, VA; and Mr. Barnett Berry, Associate Director for Policy and State Relations, National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, Columbia, SC. Statements and written testimony are appended. The appendixes also include two reports by the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future: (1) "What Matters Most: Teaching for America's Future"; and (2) "Doing What Matters Most: Investing in Quality Teaching." (SM)




Using STEM-Focused Teacher Preparation Programs to Reimagine Elementary Education


Book Description

There has been an increasing issue in STEM education as many students lack interest and knowledge in STEM disciplines and fields. Given the high demand for STEM workers, and the projected growth of STEM fields, it is important to expose students to STEM education beginning as early as elementary school. Some K-6 programs are not preparing teacher candidates adequately for STEM content or skills, especially in engineering. Integrating these disciplines and practices throughout elementary education programs could result in more exposure for K-6 students. Using STEM-Focused Teacher Preparation Programs to Reimagine Elementary Education presents anecdotal stories of how elementary education programs have altered their content offerings, field experiences, and curricula to expand their teacher candidates’ knowledge and exposure to STEM disciplines and fields. Covering key topics such as diversity, teacher education, and technology integration, this premier reference source is ideal for industry professionals, policymakers, administrators of K-12 education, pre-service teachers, teacher educators, researchers, scholars, academicians, practitioners, instructors, and students.




Best Practices in Professional Learning and Teacher Preparation


Book Description

Several states offer additional teacher preparation programs by providing either an endorsement or certification in the field, but these are often pursued by teachers specifically enrolled in gifted coursework rather than in general education programs. Practitioners and researchers agree that time and energy should be spent on training teachers in how to address the needs of gifted and talented students, both within the regular classroom and in specialized programs. This three-book series acknowledges this need and provides specific strategies for professional development in a variety of settings using various methods. Drawing on both literature in the field and research-based best practices in professional learning, this series provides the reader with a foundation for designing and implementing effective professional development experiences for educators working with gifted learners. This volume focuses on a variety of techniques and methods in professional development. From reflection practices, to using case studies, to incorporating technology, authors provide specific tools and resources to consider when delivering effective professional development related to this specific population of learners. A service publication of the National Association for Gifted Children (Washington, DC) This designation indicates that this book has been jointly developed with NAGC and that this book passes the highest standards of scholarship, research, and practice.