1. Foundations of American Education: The Education Profession Chapter 1 A Teaching Career

2. Learning Outcomes Characteristics of professions The role demographics play in supply and demand Sources of evidence to show knowledge, skills and dispositions: INTASC Professional responsibilities outline Articulated plan to pursue a teaching career Basic requirements for an initial teaching license

3. The Importance of Teachers to Society “Nine out of ten Americans believe the best way to lift student achievement is to ensure a qualified teacher in every classroom.” Knowledge in the information age: a period in which society must deal with vast amounts of rapidly changing information…the Third Wave Teachers’ importance ranked highest, more than physicians, businesspeople, lawyers and others

4. Who teaches? 2.7 million public school teachers, 400,000 private school teachers, 932,000 college and university faculty…one of the largest professions in the country Nearly 75% of the nation’s public school teachers are women, 86.5% of teachers are white, median age is between 45 and 50, more than half have a master’s degree, 65% have been full-time teachers more than 10 years

5. Teachers needed Only about half of the college grads who have completed teacher education actually take teaching positions in the first few years after graduation…over one-fourth of newly hired teachers are not qualified for the beginning license to teach. Teacher demand is a function of student-teacher ratios, location of the school district, teacher field shortages, diverse background of teachers

6. Teaching as a Profession Professionals provide services based on unique knowledge and skills, grounded in research and practice from higher education, often at an advanced level. Competence is usually provided by authentic assessment.

7. Professional Knowledge Teachers must know the subject they teach. Cornerstone knowledge about teaching and learning Skills and dispositions to help students learn Dispositions: the values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors Standards define what professionals should know and be able to do

8. No Child Left Behind Signed into law on January 8, 2002 by President George W. Bush (reauthorized ESEA) Four national education reform goals: stronger accountability for student learning results, increased educational flexibility and local control, expanded educational options for parents, and an emphasis on using teaching methods that have been proven to work

9. Quality Assurance Accreditation…related to an internal attempt on the part of the profession to examine and improve the quality of the profession it serves NCATE…The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education…best predictor of well- qualified teachers who are the strongest predictor of student achievement on national achievement tests

10. Licensure Granted by the state in which you teach Initial license allows one to teach, usually for three to five years (induction period) At the completion, often a professional license is granted…most states require continuing professional development throughout the teacher’s career and periodic license renewel

11. INTASC: Interstate New Teacher Assessment Support Consortium Performance-based licensure standards and assessments Ten principles of INTASC adopted/adapted by most states Portfolio assessment: a compilation of works, records, and accomplishments that teacher candidates prepare for a specific purpose to demonstrate their learnings, performances, and contributions.

12. Challenges Affecting Teachers Salaries…each board of education is an agent of the state and empowered to set salary levels for employees of the district it governs Fringe benefits…when added to salary constitute the total compensation package…often include hospitalization insurance, medical coverage, might include dental coverage and prescription drugs