Fayneese Miller, dean of College of Education and Social Services and chair of the Vermont State Board of Education, has been selected by the National Association of State Boards of Education to serve on a task force to examine a series of core education issues related to teaching and learning.
As a member of the "Preparation, Evaluation, Continuation & Compensation: A State Policy Agenda to Enhance the Teaching Profession" study group, Miller and other state board of education members, researchers and policy analysts nationwide will examine educator preparation and professional development, job performance and evaluations, and the impact of the Common Core Standards on teaching.
"The work of the study group on teacher preparation, evaluation, and compensation is some of the more important work needed to be done during this time, especially as our nation redirects its attention to ensuring that all of our children and youth are adequately prepared to face the many national and global challenges they will face in the future," said Miller. "Given the work of the Vermont State Board of Education and the Department of Education, this is a ripe time for Vermont to have a voice in this endeavor."
Task force members will examine the model core standards for new teachers by the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, and ongoing support and recertification for experienced teachers to ensure they meet the academic needs of contemporary students. They will also examine the methodology and implementation of comprehensive teacher evaluations to improve individual performance and ensure the quality of the workforce. Teacher compensation, including the linkages between teachers' performance, knowledge, experience and responsibilities, and what they earn will also be studied.
The study group will issue a comprehensive report in October 2011 at the NASBE Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA. The group's policy recommendations will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders including members of Congress, federal officials, governors, chief state school officers, and local education policymakers.
