Building Better Teachers
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National Review of
Teacher Preparation Programs
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NCTQ's standards for rating teacher prep:
The nuts and bolts of building better teachers
Drawing on seven years of research, NCTQ has developed a set of comprehensive standards covering the most important aspects of teacher preparation. These "nuts and bolts" represent the knowledge and skills new teachers need in order to be successful in the classroom. By examining evidence—admissions standards, required course syllabi, textbooks, student teaching policy handbooks, and data showing program outcomes—of what teacher preparation programs are demanding of their teacher candidates, our review will reveal which programs are truly preparing their future teachers for tomorrow's classrooms.
(updated: December 20, 2011)
The talent teachers need
Standard 1: Selectivity
The program selects candidates of high academic caliber using a screen that enables comparison of their academic achievement to that of college-attending peers.
Standard applies to: Elementary, Secondary and Special Education programs.
What teachers should know
Standard 2: Early Reading
The program consistently prepares candidates in the essential components of effective reading instruction.
Standard applies to: Elementary and Special Education programs.
Standard 3: English Language Learners
The program prepares elementary teacher candidates to teach reading to English language learners.
Standard applies to: Elementary programs.
Standard 4: Struggling Readers
The program prepares elementary teacher candidates to teach reading skills to students at risk of reading failure.
Standard applies to: Elementary programs.
Standard 5: Elementary Mathematics
The institution provides adequate preparation and practice in the specific mathematics content and methods needed by elementary teachers.
Standard applies to: Elementary and Special Education programs.
Standard 6: Elementary Content
The institution prepares teacher candidates with content understanding necessary to teach to the Common Core Standards as well as the full elementary curriculum, and have expertise in a single subject.
Standard applies to: Elementary programs.
Standard 7: Middle School Content
The program ensures that middle school teacher candidates know their subjects.
Standard applies to: Secondary programs.
Standard 8: High School Content
The program ensures that high school teacher candidates know their subject.
Standard applies to: Secondary programs.
Standard 9: Special Education Grade-level Subject Preparation
The program requires special education teacher candidates to know the subjects they are likely to teach.
Standard applies to: Special Education programs.
What teachers should be able to do
Standard 10: Classroom Management
The program ensures that teacher candidates learn and practice specific techniques for managing the classroom.
Standard applies to: Elementary and Secondary programs.
Standard 11: Practice Planning Instruction
The program requires teacher candidates to design and adjust instruction to enhance the academic performance of all students.
Standard applies to: Elementary and Secondary programs.
Standard 12: Measurement
The program requires that teacher candidates gain a thorough overview of student assessment that includes practice analyzing student performance data to drive instruction.
Standard applies to: Elementary and Secondary programs.
Standard 13: All Children Can Learn
The program ensures that teacher candidates experience high-performing schools that successfully serve students living in poverty.
Standard applies to: Elementary, Secondary and Special Education programs.
Standard 14: Student Teaching
The program ensures that the student teaching experience includes the most essential components for success: a placement that is adequately supervised and attendant to the qualifications of the cooperating teacher.
Standard applies to: Elementary, Secondary and Special Education programs.
Standard 15: Secondary Methods
The program requires that high school teacher candidates practice teaching the content of their intended subject areas.
Standard applies to: Secondary programs.
Standard 16: Instructional Design
The program ensures that special education teacher candidates practice the development of specially designed instruction to learn how to customize instruction that will address a range of student needs.
Standard applies to: Special Education programs.
Outcomes
Standard 17: Outcomes
The institution collects data related to its graduates' performance in the classroom.
Standard applies to: Elementary, Secondary and Special Education programs.
Standard 18: Impact on Student Learning
The program's recent graduates meet its state's threshold for impact on student learning.
Standard applies to: Elementary and Secondary programs.
