Note: please note that this issue overview should (a) contain links to additional information on this topic that is focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (b) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

Goal Statement   one sentence that further defines the topic 

• Improve teacher education to produce more “highly qualified” teachers in public schools, especially as it relates to closing the achievement gap. 

Policy Options / Model Programs   specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled 

• Obama’s Proposed Policy^[1]
  • Teachers will receive pay raises based on student success and personal improvement
  • Teachers not improving will be removed from the classroom
• Charlotte Teachers’ Institute:  A collaborative program among Davidson College, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, offering educational courses and curriculum assistance, as well as providing scholarships for workshop completion.^[2]

• Colleague Approach to Teacher Development:  A colleague approach to teacher development, focuses on increasing public school teachers’ subject knowledge while developing skills for effective classroom management.^[3]

Local/State/National Information    additional information on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

• Teacher Education - USA

• Teacher Education - North Carolina

  • Teacher Education - Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NC

Glossary of Terms   key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue 

• Teacher Quality: The ability of a teacher to expect favorable results from his or her students, based on the qualification, experience, test results, and personal motivation

• High-Performing Teachers: Teachers who gain consistent satisfactory standardized testing scores from their students

• Professional Development: As defined by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title IX, Part A, Section 9101: http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg107.html 

Bibliography    

• Angrist, Joshua D., and Jonathan Guryan. "Teacher Testing, Teacher Education, and Teacher Characteristics." The American Economic Review 94 (2004): 241-46.

• Ball, Deborah L., and David K. Cohen. "Reform by the Book: What is -- or Might Be -- the Role of Curriculum Materials in Teacher Learning and Instructional Reform?" Educational Researcher 25.9 (1996): 6-14.

• Davis, Elizabeth A., and Joseph S. Krajcik. "Designing Educative Curriculum Materials to Promote Teacher Learning." Educational Researcher 34 (2005): 3-14.

• "North Carolina State Summary: State Teacher Policy Yearbook." 2007. National Center on Teacher Quality. <http://www.nctq.org/stpy/reports/stpy_northcarolina.pdf>.

• National Research Center. Testing Teacher Candidates: the Role of Licensure Tests in Improving Teacher Quality. Washington, D.C: National Academy P, 2001.

  Rivkin, Steven G., Eric A. Hanushek, and John F. Kain. "Teachers, Schools, and Academic Achievement." Econometrica 73 (2005): 417-58.

• Rockoff, Jonah E. "The Impact of Individual Teachers on Student Achievement: Evidence from Panel Data." The American Economic Review 94 (1994): 247-52.

• "Teacher Quality." Research Center. 21 Sept. 2004. Editorial Projects in Education. <http://www.edweek.org/rc/issues/teacher-quality/>.

• Thompson, Charles L. First In America Special Report: Improving Student Performance through Professional Development for Teachers. NC Education and Research Council.

  Rep. 2003.

• Walsh, Kate. "If Wishes Were Horses: The Reality Behind Teacher Quality Findings." Sept. 2007. National Center on Teacher Quality. <http://www.nctq.org/p/publications/docs/wishes_horses_ 20080316034426.pdf>.

• Wilson, Scott. "Obama Says Public Schools Must Improve." The Washington Post 11 Mar. 2009: A01.