Re-envisioning the Preparation of Teachers

Over the past two years, members of the College have been engaged in a series of structured meetings to examine the possibilities and options for improving the way teachers are prepared. Building on the discussions that took place at these meetings, and guided by the College of Education Strategic Plan and the recommendations provided by an External Review committee, we are pursuing a fifth strategic initiative entitled Re-envisioning Teacher Preparation.

A faculty-led design team has been asked to assume responsibility for defining and designing a new vision for teacher education in the College. The goal of this group is to develop recommendations for a substantive and creative redesign that makes the preparation of teachers a college-wide responsibility that involves all faculty working in partnership with teachers and administrators from our local schools. This new design will involve a significant restructuring that shifts the responsibility for teacher preparation from a few departments to the entire College. While the redesigned program will benefit from the expertise of all faculty in the college, we will also realize enhanced efficiencies in times of fiscal concern.

The work of the design team is being facilitated by Dr. Chris Span (Dean's Fellow), Dr. Stafford Hood (Department Head, Curriculum and Instruction) and Dr. Chris Roegge (Director, Council on Teacher Education). Professors Sue Noffke (Curriculum & Instruction) and Lisa Monda-Amaya (Special Education) have agreed to co-chair the design team.

Read the Redesign Team Charge Letter (PDF) from Dean Mary Kalantzis.

• Graduate College Program Size Letter (PDF)
• External Program Review Report (PDF)

Relevant Reading

• Arne Duncan's Remarks on Teacher Education - October 22, 2009
• Alternative Education for Teachers Gaining Ground - New York Times, April 18, 2010
• AACTE Policy Brief (PDF)
• 1992 proposal for a centralized unit for teacher education in the College of Education (PDF)
• 1993 proposal submitted after the 1992 proposal was rejected
• Quick summaries of the Early Childhood, Elementary, LBS I, and Secondary programs
• Chris Roegge's thoughts on teacher education redesign (Word)
• Green, Elizabeth. Building a Better Teacher. New York Times Magazine, March 2, 2010.
• Reforming Teacher Ed.  Inside Higher ED, March 15, 2010
• Ball, Deborah. (2009, April). (Why) should research universities have schools of education?
• Foderaro, Lisa. Alternate path for teachers gains ground.  New York Times, April 18, 2010.
• Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! (TED Video)

For more information about the fifth strategic initiative, "Re-envisioning Teacher Preparation," please contact Dr. Chris Span.