Posted by Heather
11-11:15am
Mike Brown, executive director, Fire Chiefs
Mr. Brown spoke to the Task Force about the need for increased safety and emergency services for schools. The fire chiefs support these services and asked for increased funding to provide these services. Rep. Haigh asked about funding sources for the legislation they referenced, which Mr. Brown provided.
11:15am-12pm
Frank Kline, Washington Association for Colleges of Teachers Education
Pat Wasley, dean, UW College of Education
With Jennifer Wallace, PESB, and Roger Erskine, PESB and board member of LEV
Mr. Kline spoke about WACTE’s role in teacher development and licensure. He then gave an overview of certificates offered in Washington. A Residency Certificate is a general certificate, and all candidates must show competency of standards, an impact on student learning and competency in at least one endorsement area (eg. math or English). A Professional Certificate is a “contextualized” certificate, where candidates work with a committee (made up of another teacher, district representative and program representative) and must demonstrate competencies in three areas within the context of their job assignment — effective teaching, professional development and leadership.
Then he moved on to WACTE’s role in accountability. WACTE wants to see an integrated assessment system of P-12 students, teaching candidates and professional education programs developed. Rep. Hunter asked about WACTE’s feelings on including student performance data in such a system. Mr. Kline said he is unsure about WACTE’s feelings as a whole, but he personally is open to it as long as it would be implemented well. Rep. Hunter asked about value-added data, and Ms. Wasley expressed hesitancy as making it the only indicator because there are some gray areas in research on the issue. Chair Grimm offered including value-added data as one part of such a system, and Ms. Wasley seemed to agree. The WASL was offered as a measure and Mr. Kline showed some hesitancy. He would prefer a “comprehensive” system, as he outlined next.
WACTE is developing a system, which would include the WEST-B, admission requirements, program portfolio, WEST-E, Pedagogy Performance Assessment, follow-on study, retention study, value-added studies and information on induction studies. Mr. Kline said WACTE is already pursuing some of these components (with support from the Carnegie Foundation) and also plans to ask the Legislature for some financial support in 2009. Sen. Tom expressed concern over a plan on paper that never actually comes to fruition. Ms. Wasley responded by saying some of the components already exist and are bringing together superintendents and the like in the winter to review this system and provide feedback.
Rep. Priest stated Washington needs to improve data collection. Mr. Kline and Ms. Wasley agreed. There was legislation presented before and WACTE has been cooperating with data collection efforts led largely by Marge Plecki at UW.
The limited availability of teacher data, especially the endorsements of teachers and the number who teach out of their endorsement areas, was highlighted by Ms. Wasley and Ms. Wallace. Chair Grimm asked about plans to acquire that data. Ms. Wallace said there have been plans but have hit roadblocks, and the PESB continues to push for a system to gather that data. At present PESB collects information via survey, but not all districts participate. Dr. Hyde offered that districts do have to report some teacher certification information because of No Child Left Behind; however, Ms. Wallace countered that the definition of Highly Qualified Teacher under NCLB is different from State certification and endorsement standards. Task Force members asked about consequences for districts who do not report data. Ms. Wallace said they publish the list of districts that don’t provide data, but there is no tangible consequence for districts. Sen. Brown offered that legislation should be proposed that requires districts to report this kind of data.
Mr. Kline laid out some of the issues surrounding Washington’s need for more teachers. Schools of education can accommodate the teachers Washington needs, but they need recruitment help. WACTE conducted a math study and found they have 1,000 open spots in teacher training programs with no students to fill those seats. Mr. Kline and WACTE are asking for help with recruitment (casting teaching in a positive light and sharing subject-area needs) and better pay for teachers. Ms. Wasley offered that salary is a significant disincentive for individuals to pursue teaching.
Rep. Haigh asked about recruiting teachers from other states. Ms. Wallace shared that about a third of Washington’s teachers come from out of state and they are working on recruitment strategies. Ms. Wasley added that all states in the U.S. need more math teachers, making competition fierce.
In summary, Mr. Kline said, professional education is a developmental process, with the Residency, Professional and National Board certification. WACTE is working on accountability for teachers and trying to meet the State’s need in certain subject areas.
We will be back after lunch.
