1. HEAD OF THE CLASS A Quality Teacher in Every Pennsylvania Classroom

2. HEAD OF THE CLASS EPLC 2003 Annual Conference Robert E. Feir

3. Introduction EPLC Teacher Quality and Supply Project Late 2001- January 2003 27-member study group for design and advice, not consensus Research and data analysis Surveys of Superintendents and Deans EPLC responsible for report

4. Purpose To make recommendations for the effective use of state policies to promote the presence of a qualified teacher in every Pennsylvania K-12 classroom at all times

5. The Report Quality Teaching and Why it Matters Current State Policy An Expanding Federal Role Availability of Qualified Teachers Recommendations

6. Quality Teaching Content knowledge Pedagogical skills Verbal ability Experience “Intangibles” Teacher quality leads to student achievement

7. State Policy Preparation Certification NBPTS Alternative certification Emergency permits

8. State Policy Hiring Induction Professional development Career ladders Post-retirement teaching Teacher evaluation

9. Expanding Federal Role No Child Left Behind – Highly qualified teachers by 2005-06 Title II of the Higher Education Act – To be reauthorized in 2003 or 2004

10. Findings — Shortages Teacher shortages — not universal, but … – Urban – Subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology, General science Mathematics Languages Special education – Minorities

11. Minority Teachers

12. Findings — Geography and Turnover Geographic imbalances are big problem for urban districts Turnover — poor – Salaries – Administrative support – Discipline – Policymaking involvement – Student motivation

13. Findings — Trends Despite continuing “over-supply” … Superintendents report: – 16% - not enough candidates – 39% - not enough quality candidates Fewer certificates being issued More teachers leaving their districts More emergency permits being issued

14. Trends — Certificates Issued Overall 16.5% Decline

15. Trends — Teachers Leaving

16. Trends—Emergency Permits Overall 353% Increase

17. Recommendations Promoting and professionalizing teaching Enhancing teacher preparation and monitoring recent reforms Addressing specific staffing problems Improving data collection, integration, and utilization

18. Recommendations Promoting and professionalizing teaching – Total of 10 recommendations

19. Recommendations Leaders and educators need to promote the profession Require use of new evaluation forms or local forms that use the same standards Use new evaluations instead of PDAP Promote NBPTS Align local planning; recognize teacher development

20. Recommendations 2-year induction; train mentors Re-examine minimum salary More focused use of Act 48 Improve teacher work environment to promote recruitment and retention

21. Recommendations Enhancing teacher preparation and monitoring recent reforms – Total of 3 recommendations

22. Recommendations Determine effectiveness of current Chapters 49 and 354 in revising them Integrate 49/354 with other state policies and national accreditation standards Fund teacher participation in program approval teams

23. Recommendations Addressing specific staffing problems – Total of 14 recommendations

24. Recommendations State funded teacher recruitment program for districts with significant problems Determine if PDE can help recruit for districts 49/354 review should focus on hard-to-staff positions Increase number of qualified minority teachers State attention to substitutes; look at Allegheny County

25. Recommendations Allow retirees to teach 190 days Ensure adequacy of tests for 7 th and 8 th grade teachers under NCLB Tighten state NCLB policy on certification of candidates from national training programs Strengthen reading teaching skills of teachers of young children

26. Recommendations PDE should use online professional development strategically to promote other priorities Consider impact of early retirement on teacher shortages Continue participating in Mid-Atlantic Regional Teachers Project State online application and recruitment service

27. Recommendations Improving data collection, integration, and utilization – Total of 3 recommendations

28. Recommendations Continue integrating PDE databases PDE should conduct comprehensive teacher corps census every 5 years School districts should report data more carefully

29. Major Policy Opportunities Review of Chapters 49 and 354 School finance reform

30. HEAD OF THE CLASS The report can be downloaded from: www.eplc.org

31. HEAD OF THE CLASS Robert E. Feir EPLC Senior Fellow President EdStrat21 edstrat21@aol.com