The Education Department recently published data showing an unequal distribution of Highly Qualified Teachers. Naturally, there is a gap between the schools with the Highest and Lowest percentage of impovershed students in many of the indicators. In short, less qualified teachers are more likely to teach in High Poverty and Minority Schools. You can find the report Here. The Huffington Post has a nice visual layout of the data and you can find it by clicking Here. After reviewing some of the data and reading the HuffPost Article, here are some of my thoughts:
1. The notion that First-Year teachers are not good is False
Newer teachers can be valuable assets to a school. I have trained 2 Student Teachers, and they have proven me correct. Given the constantly changing climate in education, it is a blessing that we have people willing to enter this profession. Although 1st-year teachers have much to learn, they CAN get better. Just as we want students to learn and grow, so should all teachers.
2. This report seems to negate the training and influence of the school leaders
As I go through Twitter, I see thousands of Educational Leaders spreading their words of wisdom. It seems we have many knowledgeable and capable people in these positions in schools around the country. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has changed the position of school administrator. Instructional Leadership is a very important aspect of the position now. As the Instructional Leader, the school administrator is supposed to chart the course that leads to student achievement. Therefore, isn't it possible for the Instructional Leader to train a newer teacher and help them transition to "Master Teacher?" I believe strong leadership as well as training CAN reduce the affect that Growing Pains may have on Student Achievement. Lastly, this report doesn't mention anything about the qualifications of the Administrators.
3. The literature is clear that schools with higher needs experience more teacher turnover
Inevitably, these High-Needs schools have to fill more positions with newer teachers. It is important to mention that these "High Needs" include behavior issues, lack of administrative support, and less autonomy. These issues CAN be addressed. However, this is not always the case. Dealing with these issues is hard work and it requires people to change. This isn't easily accomplished and that is why turning a school around is so challenging.
States must come up with a plan to alleviate the unequal distribution by the middle of 2015. It will be interesting to see what happens. Perhaps, very little. After all, this has bee a topic of research over the past decade.
