The following is a list of recent resources for those focused on the professional improvement of teachers, principals, and other educational leaders.
OK Senate Passes Budget That Includes Teacher Raises. The state Senate passes a massive $7.5 billion spending plan that includes raises for teachers and more money for the classroom. The budget includes the largest tax increase in the state’s history to pay for teacher pay raises and, for the first time in years does not include any cuts in state agencies or services. (KWTV – News 9)
Strong policy environments for school leadership: Tennessee’s Model. Hear from Dr. Paul Fleming, Assistant Commissioner at the Tennessee Department of Education in UCEA’s new thought-leader interview. Dr. Fleming discusses the tension of the “loose and tight” elements of state policy supporting leadership including the need to provide structure and accountability and the need to allow principal preparation programs to innovate and meet local needs. And much more!
Extraordinary districts need extraordinary school leaders? How do we get them? Don’t miss this outstanding new podcast from The Education Trust featuring Michelle Young, Executive Director, University Council of Educational Administration (moderator), Ann O’Doherty, Director, Danforth Educational Leadership Program, University of Washington, Terrance Green, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Texas-Austin, and Steven Tozer, Director, Center for Urban Education Leadership, University of Illinois-Chicago. The panel explores how we can ensure that all schools have principals who believe in children and understand how to structure a school around that belief.
50-State Comparison: School Leader Certification and Preparation Programs. This 50-State Comparison: School Leader Certification and Preparation Programs includes four data points for preparation and three for certification and licensure.
Guest View: Strengthen the Teaching Profession, Don’t Lower Standards. Four educators share concerns that lowering preparation standards will only lead to larger teacher shortages in the future. (State Journal-Register)
The Call-In: Teaching And School Funding. Teachers are demanding better pay and better funding for their schools. Protests have spread from West Virginia to Oklahoma and this past week to Colorado and Arizona, where teachers went on strike. (NPR Illinois)
The Elevate Teaching Summit – Ensuring an Excellent Educator for Every Illinois Classroom. Saturday, June 2, 2018, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Oak Park, IL. Join national and state PreK-12 teachers, principals, advocates, and policymakers for a dialog on teacher quality in Illinois. By the end of the Summit, we will leave with new objectives and refreshed momentum toward elevating the teaching profession in Illinois. For more information, contact Jim O’Connor at 312-235-4537 or joconnor@advanceillinois.org
Call for Reviewers: IL-EMPOWER Learning Partner Applications ISBE is looking for district, school, and teacher leaders to review applications submitted by vendors that wish to work in IL-EMPOWER as a Learning Partner (Partner). IL-EMPOWER, which was approved as part of the Illinois Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State Plan, is the statewide system of accountability and support that empowers schools with greater choice and voice in the school improvement process. IL-EMPOWER is focused on capacity development for statewide school support and it is required for those schools identified to receive comprehensive services. Schools that receive services will complete a needs assessment process using multiple data sources. The findings will guide the identification of priority areas to address in collaboration with Partner(s). ISBE anticipates receiving between 50-60 applications in late May 2018. Each application must be read by three reviewers within a 15-day time frame. If you are interested, please submit a summary of professional experience to Henri Fonville at hfonvill@isbe.net. Contact Jason Helfer at jhelfer@isbe.net or (217) 782-4123 with questions.
Teach Here, They’ll Rent You a Home. SC Schools Take Desperate Steps to Find Teachers
Faced with an alarming shortage of teachers, S.C. districts are taking unusual steps to fill vacancies — recruiting in other parts of the country (14 S.C. districts attended the Pittsburgh job fair), buying homes for teachers and funneling noneducation professionals into the classroom in a matter of weeks. (State)
#ThankATeacher… and a State Policymaker? In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Stephanie Aragon discusses issues facing teachers and recent legislation passed in support of teachers.
3-Ways to Get Millennials to Teach Rethinking how the classroom works will make teaching more appealing to young people.
