Contact: Mike Myslinski at 650-552-5324
Dean E. Vogel, president of the 325,000-member California Teachers Association, issued this statement today about the release of the “Greatness by Design” report from a task force of education experts looking at ways to improve teacher quality in the state:
“California’s educators are pleased that a panel of experts is offering concrete and specific policies, programs and practices to strengthen the skills of educators throughout their careers so we can provide and sustain quality teaching for our students. The fact that teachers had a strong voice in the developing of the ‘Greatness by Design’ report is a tribute to the sincere efforts launched by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson to examine how to support outstanding teaching and improve how teachers are recruited and trained. Educators were honored to be on this 48-member task force of stakeholders and researchers who are united in putting what’s in the best interests of our students first.
“This report points to ways that we can better recruit and support high-quality educators. It really recognizes that we need a strong infrastructure for ongoing professional learning so that educators can develop the skills they need. And it recognizes that teacher evaluations should focus on student learning and improving the practice of teaching.”
Read the report, “Greatness by Design: Supporting Outstanding Teaching to Sustain a Golden State,” here. To learn more about what is essential to a quality and comprehensive teacher evaluation system, see the CTA Teacher Evaluation Framework.