MINNESOTA P-16 EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP

January 28, 2009

Overview of Potential Future P-16 Partnership Initiatives to Strengthen

Teacher Effectiveness

Importance of Teacher EffectivenessThe teacher is the single most

influential factor in student learningStudents whose teachers know their

content and how to teach it well achieve substantially more

Effects of a very good teacher last beyond the one year

Focus on Four Critical Factors in the Teacher Effectiveness Continuum

Teacher preparation

Induction

Professional development

School leadership

Teacher PreparationCollaborative efforts to recruit teacher

candidates of promiseSchool-based preparation that embeds

teacher preparation and continuous professional development in the school setting

Formal classes and clinical experiences on-site that connect to the learning needs of P-12 students in the school

Focus on the needs of today’s schoolsEmphasize skills for data collection, analysis,

and use in targeting student’s instructional needs

InductionComprehensive induction systems that

provide early career development for beginning teachers

Pattern of career-focused professional learning that is collegial, supportive, and non-evaluative

Including but not limited to mentoringResults:

Increased retention of early career teachersImproved teaching practices

Professional DevelopmentAccess to sustained professional development

in core areas such as reading for all teachersDevelopment of cultural competence for all

school staffOrganization of school schedules for

collaboration with colleagues to focus on student problems, examine data, build curriculum, and organize instruction

Continued professional development to promote higher level thinking and depth of curriculum

School LeadershipSecond only to classroom instruction among

all school-related factors that contribute to student learning

Successful leadership practices: setting directions, developing people, and redesigning the organization

School climate where all learners and families are valued, including those from various racial, language, and income groups

Ensuring alignment among goals, programs, policies and professional development

Further considerationsNecessary to focus on Minnesota contextContinuing need for researchOpportunity for collaboration among

organizations that contribute to the success of P-12 learners

Minnesota P-16 Education Partnership has had an interest in teacher

effectiveness since its founding