Sound and Trusted Education Trust Solutions

Recently I pointed to Education Trust and several of their problematic "highly qualified" teacher policy proposals — most notably their overemphasis on value-added assessments in identifying highly accomplished teachers. However, they also recommend “better tools for teachers and administrators” – which are most needed in the No Child Left Behind reauthorization. For example, they call for a “new $750 million curriculum fund for states to develop high-quality, high-level curriculum materials linked to their standards and assessments, and to provide teachers with professional development in using the new materials.” They also call for “$400 million annually in continued federal support for state assessment development so that states can improve the quality of their assessments, with special attention to improving assessments for English-language learners and students with disabilities.” They also call for, like I did several years ago, to invest at least $100 million in state data systems so administrators, teachers, and policymakers can have better information for both policy and practice. I must tip my hat to the Education Trust. Now it is time for us also to invest more in teacher education so all teachers — even before they enter teaching — know how to take advantage of the new curriculum materials, use the innovative assessments, and better serve special needs and second language learners. These proposals also need to be in the reauthorization of NCLB.