Teacher Quality Moves to the Head of the Class As the New Year Approaches
Contact:
Liesl Wendt
Chalkboard Project
503.542.4325
liesl@chalkboardproject.org
"They say good things come in threes," said- Orcilia Zúñiga Forbes, Chair, Chalkboard Project Board of Directors. "In this case, we've hit a trifecta that promises great things for raising student achievement across the board in Oregon, throughout the coming year.
The three milestones include:
1. The Oregon State Board of Education endorsing the National Staff Development Council national standards. Supporting staff development standards targets the state's investment in professional development to practices that are known to influence student learning.
"Quality professional development for teachers is one of the best ways to improve student achievement," said Duncan Wyse, Chair, State Board of Education. "We appreciate Chalkboard's leadership on this issue."
2. The Chalkboard Project's new partnership with the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future (NCTAF) will gather state leaders to form a coalition charged with developing a statewide strategy to improve teaching quality in 2009.
"We know the importance of high quality teaching in the classroom and now Oregon leaders will unite to ensure that our teachers get the preparation, support and tools they need to deliver high quality instruction in every classroom throughout the state," said Susan Castillo, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Oregon Department of Education.
3. Last, and certainly not least, President-elect Barack Obama announcing his pick for secretary of education, Chicago Public Schools Supt. Arne Duncan.
"Secretary designate Duncan's direction is aligned with Chalkboard's efforts to improve K-12 public education," said Sue Hildick, President, Chalkboard Project. President elect Obama went to great lengths to point out that Duncan is "not beholden to any one ideology' and he's worked tirelessly as a committed reformer to improve teacher quality."
As this year draws to a close, with many of Oregon's students enjoying an early holiday break, Chalkboard is making its new year's resolution to take every opportunity to elevate the teaching profession in 2009.
"We applaud the day to day effort that teachers put into Oregon's classrooms," said Ms. Hildick. "It's time we elevate the teaching profession to the status it deserves and help our kids receive the high level of teaching they deserve."
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About Chalkboard Project
Launched in early 2004, Chalkboard Project exists to inspire Oregonians to do what it takes to make the state’s K-12 public schools among the nations best, while strengthening our school system’s financial accountability to taxpayers. Chalkboard – an initiative of Foundations for a Better Oregon – is sponsored by a growing list of independent foundations. The founding five foundations are: The Collins Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, Jeld-Wen Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, and The Oregon Community Foundation. For more information about Chalkboard and to learn how to get involved, call (877) YOUR-K12 or visit www.chalkboardproject.org.
