2009 State Teacher Policy Yearbook

Report gives Michigan D- for policies on teacher quality

Michigan gets a D minus when it comes to preparing teachers for classroom performance, according to a new report by a respected education group.

The National Council on Teacher Quality, a nonpartisan research and advocacy group, released the report called "2009 State Teacher Policy Yearbook," which is a comprehensive review of state laws and regulations that govern the teaching profession.

Despite recent improvements, the report shows Michigan can do more to produce more excellent teachers. Instead, Michigan awards tenure to teachers almost automatically. And the state does not require annual evaluations for all teachers, the report found.

Some highlighted grades from the report:

• Delivering well-prepared teachers: D. While the state Superintendent of Public Instruction has initiated an effort to hold teacher colleges accountable for the quality of teachers they produce, he hasn't retained full authority of the approval process.
• Expanding the teaching pool: F. The state collects little objective data to hold alternate teacher certification programs accountable for the performance of the teachers they prepare as well, according to the authors.
• Identifying effective teachers: D-. Michigan lacks any meaningful process to evaluate teachers' cumulative effectiveness in the classroom before awarding lifelong tenure.
• Retaining effective new teachers: C-. Michigan does not support retention bonuses, compensation for relevant prior work experience or differential pay for teachers working in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas.
• Removing ineffective new teachers: D. The state lacks an efficient termination process for ineffective educators.

Read the full column…

Source: Detroit News, 2.8.10.