Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Joint Board of Ed/Higher Ed meeting: teacher preparation

Wulfson: 40% of new teachers each year come out of MA public higher ed system
backup on this is here
68 different sponsoring organizations, 1800+ programs
first year teachers from public colleges and universities are disproportionally hired into high-needs schools and assigned students who are farther behind academically
"student achievement starts first with" teacher preparation

setting threshholds
criteria descriptive of expectations not prescriptions of approach
focus on outcomes: "triangulating evidence from providers, state outcome measures, and site visit"
ultimate approval rests with DESE
about half of organizations have undergone review
organizations making intentional decisions about what programs they choose to continue
"high levels of confidence in the process"
Clark University received the first "Approved with Distinction" designation this past year

dashboard on educator preparation will have measures connected to diversity
recruitment, admission, and completing candidates of diverse background is part of review
point from Higher Ed member: one way of ensuring good impact of most needy students is to ensure new teachers aren't in those classrooms
see first year of teaching as extension of teacher training
DESE works on induction and mentoring; not funded
"the critical importance of the first year..."
McKenna: turning paraprofessionals into teachers
paras were familiar with schools, diverse group, invested in education
"they know what they're getting into"
allow certification with a BA and the MTEL
now can only use provisional license for five years (in total)

McKenna: Teach for America teachers are also put in the most challenging schools, and that's a concern of mine
"when I was president of Leslie, I said we should say to districts 'send them back until they're satisfied" with their teaching (after they've graduated as teachers)
need to support teachers once they're in the classroom
Q: world of work beyond teaching?
Greylock Scholars program; pipeline
Worcester Epic grant

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