A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Who's Doing It?

Recruiting. School districts and universities can work together to create middle and high school programs that expose young people to the teaching profession. For example, the South Carolina Center for Teacher Recruitment has reached thousands of academically talented high school juniors and seniors through its Teacher Cadet Program, offered in more than 140 schools statewide. Teacher Cadets study education and have the opportunity to teach younger students under the tutelage of both school and university faculty. The center also targets minority middle school students, encouraging them to take rigorous courses in school and aspire to a career in teaching.

Identify and Recognize Master Teachers. Some states and districts are assisting teachers who seek National Board Certification. For example, North Carolina will pay the fee for teachers to complete the National Board Certification assessments, provide three days of substitute time for teachers to undergo the review needed for certification, and provide a four percent annual bonus to board-certified teachers. Board-certified teachers also serve as coaches and trainers for other teachers in their schools. Experienced mentors and special clinics help prepare teachers for these assessments.

Tougher Initial Certification. Thirty States have become partners in the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC). Through INTASC, the 30 States have been working together to develop high quality performance assessments of knowledge and skills for beginning teachers. In addition to the 30 States that are working together through INTASC, some individual states are moving ahead with tougher licensing requirements for new teachers. For example, Connecticut is requiring new teachers to meet rigorous standards, including a performance assessment that is conducted by state-trained observers over an extended period of time.

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