1. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Teacher Quality Policy OSEP Project Directors Meeting Washington DC July 21, 2014 Jane E. West, Ph.D janewestdc@gmail.com 1

2. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Teacher Quality Policy Areas Teacher Evaluation New 50-state teacher equity plan “Highly Qualified” Teacher preparation: regulations and Higher Education Act Reauthorization 2

3. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Teacher Evaluation Waiver extensions and status examples – MD: use of teacher evaluations that include test scores on hold until 2016-17 – using SLOs – NV: use of teacher evaluation for personnel decisions waived until 2016-17 – NY: teachers evaluated using test scores, but for those who earn lowest 2 ratings, a second evaluation that excludes CC test scores. Higher rating used for personnel decisions. – WA: state failed to pass bill requiring state tests to be a factor in teacher evaluations by 2017-18 school year 3

4. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Teacher Evaluations cont. Most waivers with extensions related to teacher evaluation expire in 2016-17 school year A new president will be elected November 2016 Future of waivers and teacher evaluation? 4

5. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Highly Qualified Provision inserted into appropriations bill in 2010 overturned district court decision to allow teachers who enroll in alternate route programs to be considered “highly qualified” while they are learning how to become teachers and seeking full certification Provision expires in 2016 Congress mandated report from Department of Ed on distribution of these teachers in terms of high need students – sped, EL, rural, low income by state What is the entry bar to the profession? 5

6. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education New 50 State Teacher Equity Plan Announced by WH and Sec. Duncan July 7 Letter to Chiefs: – Every state must update (from 2006) their ESEA Equity plan to ensure that poor and minority students are not taught at higher rates than other children by “inexperienced, unqualified, out-of-field teachers” – SEA must work with stakeholders and analyze data to revise plan – Guidance from DOE in fall – New TA network $4.2 million to support states and districts – By Fall 2014, catalogue of effective practices in analyzing and addressing inequitable access 6

7. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education New 50 state equity plan cont… Data Release and State profiles – Each SEA will have all data from Civil Rights data collection including teacher experience, teacher absenteeism, teacher certification, access of students to rigorous coursework, school expenditures – State teacher equity profiles on Department website using CRDC data to point out inequities between high and low poverty and minority schools 7

8. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Teacher Prep Regulations 2012 – negotiated rulemaking failed to achieve consensus Title II and TEACH grants April, 2014 – proposed regulations go to OMB – to be released this summer with 30-60 day comment period; final by end of year Key components – State systems to evaluate every prep program using k-12 VAM, surveys of principals and graduates, placement and retention – Ratings determine eligibility for TEACH grants, student financial aid for aspiring teachers in high need fields 8

9. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Teacher Prep Concerns Efficacy of using VAM to determine program effectiveness No such system exists; impact and consequences unknown Negative impact on minority serving institutions and programs for high need fields such as special ed and EL State capacity and workability Congress reauthorizing the Higher Education Act Tying access to student financial aid to a program rating 9

10. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Administration’s Higher Ed Rating System Postsecondary Institution Rating System (PIRS) Measures – Access – Affordability – Accountability Tie rating system to access to student financial aid Due out this Fall Final version before 2015-16 school year 10

11. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Teacher Prep: Higher Education Reauthorization House – 14 hearings – Teacher Prep Hearing Feb. 27 – Republican Priorities for Reauthorizing HEA – June 25 Senate – Multiple hearings – Teacher Prep hearing March 25 – Harkin discussion draft issued June 25 – Republicans developing initiatives Administration – No bill – Multiple rulemakings and initiatives 11

12. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education House Republican HEA Priorities for Teacher Prep Eliminate Teacher Quality Partnership Grant program (move tenets to ESEA) Reduce reporting requirements so they yield useful information that measures program effectiveness without adding undue burden to states and institutions 12

13. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Harkin Discussion Draft “Higher Education Affordability Act” Title II = 124 of 785 pages! Four Key Components on Educator Prep – Definitions – Educator Quality Partnership Grants – New Competitive State Grant for Preparation Reform – Accountability and Data Collection 13

14. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Some Key Definitions 32 definitions including: Effective literacy instruction Clinical training High Quality Professional Development Induction program Mentor and mentoring Recent program graduate Principles of scientific research Student growth Teacher performance assessment Teaching skills 14

15. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Harkin draft cont. TQP becomes EQP – Educator Quality Partnerships – IHE and teacher prep program partners with high need LEA – One year residency – 1 year living stipend – Teachers and principals – High need fields (special ed) and high need schools – Must teach three years after completing program – New data collection: evaluation systems, retention, survey results 15

16. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Harkin draft cont. State Innovation in Education Preparation New competitive state grant program Every state must rate every prep program (teacher and principal) on a 1-4 scale using: – Satisfaction surveys of employers – Satisfaction surveys of graduates – Statewide measure of impact on student learning via evaluation systems or evidence of student growth that is evidence based or externally validated 16

17. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Ingredients for rating system cont. Retention up to three years Same metrics and weights for all programs Public reporting program by program basis Provide to all LEAS and school boards in state Interventions for low performers – Needs assessment if low performer for 1 year – No TEACH grants if low performing for 3 years – Termination if low performing for 4 years – Programs on lowest rating automatically low performing 17

18. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Priorities for grant distribution Capacity to implement Demonstrated record of effective reform of educator preparation Likelihood of sustaining reforms Data systems that link to prep programs in place Statewide evaluation systems using student growth in place Strong partnerships between IHEs and high need LEAs 18

19. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education New state grantees must Recruit top talent Have selective admissions Provide clinical prep in high need schools Prepare all teacher to teach students with disabilities and English learners Ensure subject matter mastery and effective classroom management Require all prep programs in state to participate Require all prep programs to address LEA workforce needs 19

20. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education New State grantees must…. Report results to applicants to prep programs, school administrators Redesign certification and licensing to align to CCRS Utilize data in program approval Require high quality clinical training 20

21. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Institutional, State Report Cards Similar Title II data collection Criteria for determining low performing programs: – Candidates academic strength – Pass rates on certification exams – Hours of clinical training – Employment outcomes including placement, retention and evaluations – Results of satisfaction surveys 21

22. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Issues in Teacher Prep in Higher Ed Bills Rating System Link to student aid State Role GREAT Act Title II Data State and Federal Report cards Unintended impact on high need students and fields, including special education 22

23. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Disability Provisions in Harkin Bill The National Technical Assistance Centers for Higher Education Access The National Technical Assistance Center for Disability Support Services at Institutions of Higher Education The National Data Center on Higher Education and Disability Transition Programs for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities Provisions related to strengthening the development and access to accessible instructional materials A Commission on Serving and Supporting Students with Psychiatric Disabilities in Institutions of Higher Education 23

24. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Make Your Voice Heard By August 29 at 5 pm: comments on Sen. Harkin’s draft Higher Ed reauthorization bill to HEAA2014@help.senate.gov HEAA2014@help.senate.gov When teacher prep regs are released (this summer?) 30-60 days for public comment Contact your state and local leaders to be a part of developing your educator equity plan 24

25. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education And remember…… If you’re not at the table, You’re probably on the menu. 25