Pre K-12 & PSRP Issues
Background IssuesIt is undeniable that teachers and support staff play an essential role in providing a high-quality education for students. Therefore, it is necessary to provide our students with highly qualified teachers in every classroom. This requires that the state help recruit, train, and retain a highly qualified teaching, paraprofessional, and support staff workforce. Every student should have access to teachers who hold students to high expectations, know the subject matter, care deeply about their students, understand how to assess student and differentiate instruction, use data to inform instruction, work collaboratively, participate in the evaluation and development plans that inform student learning, and are supported by a quality administration. Research shows that the best teachers are ushered into the profession through a practical, proven and realistic training process that includes clinical instruction mentoring and professional development. The National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research found that teacher credentialing (being highly qualified) and experience are positively correlated with student achievement (Clotfelter et al, 2007). Similarly, Huang and Moon (2009) found that teaching experience at a particular grade level increased reading achievement. What We NeedEffective Teacher Evaluation: When done effectively, evaluating teachers is an extremely important professional development tool that improves teaching and learning. As educational experts, teachers' perspectives are essential in deciding what constitutes "good teaching" and what it takes to improve student learning. It is essential that teachers and our unions are involved in developing and implementing evaluative tools, including peer assistance and review. Teacher evaluation, like student evaluation, should include multiple measures of success and combine teaching standards with student learning variables. AFT Michigan has developed a comprehensive guide to help local leaders develop effective evaluations. Clear Expectations for Educators: Teaching requires instructors to be masters of content, engaging facilitators, and leaders of a classroom community. Including all stakeholders in developing professional standards will ensure that our shared expectations are reflected in how teachers are evaluated and supported. Prepare Educators for Challenges: Working with children requires a variety of skill sets, especially because challenging situations often arise quickly and unpredictably. Staff should receive training in conflict resolution and other techniques to support student and group behaviors. Quality & Stable Staff: Consistent staff presence is crucial to student growth and school improvement. Legislators should amend PA 112 to remove the ability of administrators to unilaterally outsource so-called non-instructional support staff. Professional Salaries and Benefits: Fairly compensating teachers and staff is essential to attracting and retaining quality educators and maintaining a stable and high quality workforce in our schools. Meaningful Professional Development: Even extraordinary educators benefit from meaningful professional development. Effective teachers and support staff are cultivated through high quality, job-embedded professional development that is aligned with appropriate standards and curricula (ideally developed collaboratively with staff and linked to an effective evaluation system).
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