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Monday, November 16, 2009

Regents want teaching improved -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY:1706:


Regents want teaching improved -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY:1706::

"ALBANY -- The state Board of Regents is considering innovations to improve teaching."

The policy-making board will consider new requirements for incoming teachers to demonstrate knowledge of a subject and classroom skills that can be linked to effective instruction.
In addition to performance-based assessments for new teachers, the board will consider assessments for teachers who are two years in the job. It could also take longer for teachers to earn a master's degree.

The board is considering a pilot program of alternatives to colleges for training future teachers. The new options could include museums and cultural institutions.
Regents also want to draw more teachers now employed in the sciences and increase the ranks of highly skilled teachers in poor urban districts, where fewer work.

"Nothing makes more difference than an outstanding teacher," David Steiner said when he was named state education commissioner. He is the former dean of Hunter College School of Education at the City University of New York.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=866201&category=region#ixzz0X21GiFZY