How to Grow Good Teachers
Here is how those who have power could help teachers in public schools if they really wanted to. They are in no special order. I included these in the post about Nancie Atwell the other day, but I think they are worthy of standing alone. I didn’t want them overshadowed by the Nancie Atwell discussion.
Teachers and parents, feel free to add to the list. I will give you credit for your suggestions.
- Federal, state and local school district policy makers need to start proudly investing in public schools instead of withholding funds in order to eventually convert public schools to charters.
- Reduce the number of required high-stakes tests.
- End Value-Added Measurement which is not accurate and does not improve teaching.
- Support high school programs like Future Teachers of America to help young people think of teaching as a career.
- Help public schools be community hubs to bring people together, giving teachers visibility and support.
- Strengthen the PTA. Bring parents and teachers together.
- Lower class sizes, especially in kindergarten through third grade.
- All teachers should be fully-credentialed in their subject by a College of Education in an accredited university.
- Any non-credentialed teacher should only be hired in an emergency and it should be temporary.
- Create a new public relations program to welcome future career teachers to the university.
- Insist on well-prepared, credentialed teachers for all classes, including the arts.
- Create schools that have a balanced curriculum including the arts.
- Permit teachers to have a vested interest and a voice in their school.
- Increase support staff at the school, including guidance counselors, librarians, nurses, and school psychologists.
- Address special education with a continuum of services, including parental involvement.
- Look for better ways to devise unique school schedules that support a teacher’s ability to teach where learning is not disrupted.
- Give teachers adequate time to plan each day.
- Bring teachers together to collaborate for the benefit of their students.
- Provide fair due process for all teachers.
- Give teachers tenure and better job security afterHow to Grow Good Teachers: