2008 Legislative Session 

Recent policy conversations regarding teacher and school quality have focused mostly on issues of data and accountability.  While important, necessary and timely, these conversations have led to system interventions that have decreased teacher control and ownership of choices.  To get to the next level of effectiveness, teachers must be provided options for their own  professional development.   

Schools will improve as good teachers develop into great leaders, able to make choices about the meaning of data and interventions that make sense for each child and each context.  Great teachers do remarkable things for children and may become principals, data coaches, lead teachers, curriculum coordinators and community leaders.  Induction, mentoring and professional development increase the capacity of teachers, enhance effective schools, and improve retention of the very best teachers.

Teacher educators are invested in preparing teachers who are learners, advocates, thinkers, doers and professionals.  Individual professional development and the system-wide development of teachers lead to better learning for students.   Teacher educators understand adult learning, E-16 learning, and issues of diversity and disability.  Teacher educators currently work across educational systems, in partnership with schools, communities and post-secondary institutions. 

It is right to invest in professional and leadership development of teachers, and to call upon teacher educators to enhance the capacity of teachers, schools and E-16 systems of education. 

Action Needed by Minnesota Legislature:

• Fund teacher induction, mentoring, and professional and leadership development.
• Hold teacher education accountable for the quality of professional development available to teachers and schools.
• Call upon higher education systems to provide professional development necessary for Minnesota to have quality schools for each child.

Action Needed by Higher Education:

• Assure the relevance of programs and professional development options offered to school and teachers.
• Commit resources to partnerships and co-ownership for the learning of all students in MN schools.