This paper identifies issues associated with the supply and demand of culturally and linguistically diverse teaching professionals, particularly special educators. It notes an alarming disparity between the supply and the demand of special education teaching professionals representing diverse populations. First, data on general and special…

This report addresses questions related to increasing the numbers of Latino teachers in U.S. classrooms and improving the preparation of those teachers and all teachers of Latino children. The report presents demographic data on Latinos concerning: percentage of total population, population projections, states of residence, median age, educational…

A state-by-state overview of activities related to teacher policies and 11 tables reflecting types of policies in the states are presented in this working paper. Table 1 shows that most states require teacher education students to complete specific programs or coursework and that many also require some demonstration of competence. Table 2…

This report, commissioned by Wisconsin's superintendent of public instruction, focuses on methods of attracting, preparing, and retaining competent and dedicated teachers in Wisconsin schools. Part I consists of recommendations to attract competent individuals to careers in teaching: informing the public about career opportunities in education and…

Proposals for the educational improvement of underprivileged urban schools were developed by the American Federation of Teachers. The scheme is predicated on the assumption that each component is essential and integral. Specifically, the proposals recommend that schools have a ceiling of 100 pupils with various procedures available to relieve…

This collection of papers includes: "New Teachers for a New Century: Recommendations from a National Invitational Conference" (Margaret C. Wang and Herbert J. Walberg); "Teacher Quality, Teacher Effectiveness: Basing Education Policy on the Facts" (Arthur E. Wise); "Accreditation Reform and the Preparation of Teachers for…

This brief addresses four areas of opportunity to influence teacher quality. These areas of opportunity are used to create a framework to help state and district policymakers comprehensively address teacher quality. There are a number of policy levers or strategies that can be used as part of a comprehensive approach to improving teacher quality.…

This document reports on the purpose, implementation, and outcomes of a policy forum on strategies used to address the disproportionate number of students from minority ethnic/racial groups receiving special education. Participants included representatives of state education agencies, local education agencies, the university/research community,…

This brief examines the impact of teaching on student achievement, necessary steps for ensuring teacher quality, and policies needed to support that effort. Research has identified the strong connection between student achievement and teacher preparation and skills. Efforts to generate consistently high teaching levels across all classrooms must…

This multimedia School Development Outreach Project package on teacher quality provides a perspective on this emerging education issue arising from national, state, and local leaders. The package contains a set of two audiotapes and a booklet. The booklet gives an overview of the issue, examples of research and current practice, and suggestions…

The Navajo Teacher Education Initiative was developed in 1992 to improve the quality of Navajo education through the recruitment and training of prospective Navajo educators. Currently, the 242 schools on or near the Navajo Nation are staffed primarily by non-Navajo teachers who often do not understand the significance of Navajo culture, history,…

Technical education, especially as provided in the Nigerian polytechnics, leads to the acquisition of practical and applied skills as well as basic scientific knowledge. The production function of the polytechnics in terms of producing quality middle-level manpower through effective teaching delivery depends largely on the quantity and quality of…

Teacher supply and demand are critical policy areas for planning, program funding, and teacher training. Shortages of minority teachers are especially acute, as are shortages in special education. To inform policy decisions at all levels of government, the National Center for Education Statistics collected data during school year 1987-88 through…

In view of the emphasis on money as a motivator mentioned in reports examining theoretical notions about teacher motivation, this paper focuses on the efficacy of using salary to attract quality teacher candidates. Although standarized testing and internship programs often supplement inadequate certification requirements, critics question the…

To improve the quality of teaching in New York State's schools, state and local policy-makers must consider a number of issues that affect teaching quality. These issues are outlined in this booklet, which also provides a number of policy recommendations. The basic concepts reviewed are (1) the assumptions that underlie the collaborative endeavor…