The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing recently released a message regarding implementation of Senate Bill 941.  The bill, which concerns the use of National Board Certification to clear credentials of California teachers, may have a hug impact on current and future NBCTs.  Prior to this bill, NB Certification could only clear a credential if the NBCT held a preliminary credential in the same subject area.  This bill would enable NBCTs who earned certification in an area other than the one they hold a preliminary credential to clear a second one.  For example, a teacher with a multiple subject credential who becomes certified in AYA English Language Arts could earn a clear Single Subject English credential. 

While we are awaiting further clarification of how this will work, check out the release for more information:

Implementation of Senate Bill 941 Concerning National Board Certification

The Obama Administration's 2013 proposed budget includes a new $5 billion competitive program to challenge states and districts to work with teachers, unions, colleges of education and other stakeholders to comprehensively reform the field of teaching. The proposal touches on every phase of teaching from training and tenure to compensation and career opportunities.  For more details, check out this announcements on the Ed Gov site:

Obama Administration Seeks to Elevate Teaching Profession, Duncan to Launch RESPECT Project: Teacher-Led National Conversation

Check out this article about a study from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's most recent release from its study on "Measures of Effective Teaching."  The article entitled The Challenge of Teaching Higher-Order Skills explores the implications of the findings of this study, and also has a link to the complete report.  The findings "would appear to highlight some fairly consistent weaknesses in instruction and raise big question marks for teacher and leadership preparation—especially since the common-core state standards call for teachers to help students master precisely these kinds of higher-order reasoning and analytical skills."  They are also highly relevant to our work in aligning instructional practices to the National Board Standards.

Great article that will be helpful to all accomplished teachers, especially candidates who are preparing Entry 4, appeared in Education Week: "Make Parent Involvement a Two-Way Street."

_Hybrid Learning Pushes Personalization Forward

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. ET
Also available "on demand" 24 hours after the event.

Free registration is now open.

Schools are moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to education toward greater efforts to differentiate learning for each student. To truly personalize the learning process in more meaningful ways, many educators are turning to technology. They're blending face-to-face instruction with electronic resources, which can be everything from online courses complete with online teachers to digital curricula that enhances or reinforces classroom learning. However, experts caution that this approach must be planned very carefully in ways that maximize the benefits of digital content and online courses. Our experts will discuss how to use technology, especially blended learning, to personalize education and raise student achievement.

Guests:
Brent Truchon, social studies teacher, Edmunds Middle School, Burlington, Vt.
Kathy Gallagher, language arts teacher, Edmunds Middle School, Burlington, Vt.
Themistocles Sparangis, chief technology director, Los Angeles Unified School District

This webinar will be moderated by Michelle R. Davis, senior writer, Education Week Digital Directions

Register for this free webinar.

All Education Week webinars are archived and accessible "on demand" for up to six months after the original live-streaming date.This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.

_Hello NBCTs, and Faculty,

I have been engaged in the work of Teacher Performance Assessments since 2002-03, as an original trainer for scoring of PACT  under the direction of Ray Pechone and Linda Darling Hammond, and in parallel projects with the NBPTS for new and experienced teachers across the country.  At this point in time, I am compelled (and excited) to  pass  forward information that you may or may not have had acces to, or time to process  on a consistent basis.

Although National University and IHE’s are invested in the Cal TPA, it is wise for  TED faculty and  leaders to be  informed about the progress of implementing the national TPAs in alignment with reforms in teacher preparation programs across the country.  We are all aware of the wave (more like a tsunami?) of major system wide educational reforms and development ( many focused on teacher preparation)  are occurring  in response to drop out rates, international data, workplace indicators of inadequate training in specific fields.  It  is  to our advantage to review  resources and strategies that many of our competitors are embracing in efforts to establish strong and meaningful partnerships with Pk-12 school districts and  in congruence with the Common Core standards, assessments and higher standards for beginning teacher candidates.

As experts in the preparation of credential candidates who earn  a CA initial license to teach, I believe that knowledge of the national TPAs and the impact new policies may have on our work in teacher education (curriculum and  coursework, degrees, instructors, supervisors, clinical experiences, etc.) and in the field with teachers and principals. It  is urgent and critical to  our school and to the contributions we make as we revisit traditional designs and consider innovations that promise to meet demands from our districts, the community, and ESEA reauthorization and accreditation criteria.

One of the first opportunities to use your skills and experiences as  PACT and  CALTPA assessors, methods instructors, induction mentors, NBCT assessors, intern supervisors, beginning teacher coaches, is to apply to be in the pool of scorers for the national TPA—nearly 1200 will be trained and calibrated—applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received.  PLEASE apply this weekend! Click here to get there quickly: https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/6bf3g4d59e. Call me if you need assistance.

This is VERY exciting and significant work on the national level and it will inform  new policies, practices and programs for educators across the country.  Jump in and stay fully informed on  www.nuptdc.org website and in our eCoach Team.  I will post reports and announcements frequently.

Look for another opportunity coming your way regarding a DISTINGUISHED PATHWAY for PREPARATION and DEVELOPMENT of ACCOMPLISHED EDCUATORS (webinar and Alliance membership). We are poised and positioned to define and develop an optional and alternative pathway for the 21st century teacher leaders.

Much love and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Rae Adams
NBCT Program Director and Lead Faculty