This book addresses the issue of data use in educator preparation programs towards continuous programmatic improvement. With an aim to increase the rigor in both research and practice in educational administration and teacher education, this volume will analyze the longstanding quality concerns about teacher and leadership preparation and standards for programs and educators, as well as controversies concerning national accreditation and federal efforts to mandate program reporting data. By exploring the policies and practices that influence departments of education, this volume examines the increasing pressures to improve institutional functioning, within a complex system of university, state, and national structures and organizations.

This book addresses the issue of data use in educator preparation programs towards continuous programmatic improvement. With an aim to increase the rigor in both research and practice in educational administration and teacher education, this volume will analyze the longstanding quality concerns about teacher and leadership preparation and standards for programs and educators, as well as controversies concerning national accreditation and federal efforts to mandate program reporting data. By exploring the policies and practices that influence departments of education, this volume examines the increasing pressures to improve institutional functioning, within a complex system of university, state, and national structures and organizations.

"A collaborative effort between researchers and practitioners, this volume presents lessons learned to assist teacher educators who are engaged daily with the challenges of making data useful and used in their programs. Readers will see how the work carried out in "high data use" teacher education programs strengthened local program identity and coherence"--

Data literacy has become an essential skill set for teachers as education becomes more of an evidence-based profession. Teachers in all stages of professional growth need to learn how to use data effectively and responsibly to inform their teaching practices. This groundbreaking resource describes data literacy for teaching, emphasizing the important relationship between data knowledge and skills and disciplinary and pedagogical content knowledge. Case studies of emerging programs in schools of education are used to illustrate the key components needed to integrate data-driven decisionmaking into the teaching curricula. The book offers a clear path for change while also addressing the inherent complexities associated with change. Data Literacy for Educators provides concrete strategies for schools of education, professional developers, and school districts. Book Features: Defines data literacy for teaching and outlines the knowledge and skills it comprises. Uses examples and case studies that tie theory to practice. Provides a roadmap for integrating data literacy into teacher preparation programs. Covers emerging trends, such as virtual and hybrid courses and massive open online courses. “This thoughtful, well-organized book raises the challenges that beginning and experienced teachers face in becoming more data literate to increase their pedagogical effectiveness in their classrooms.” —From the Foreword by Barbara Schneider “Deans of colleges of education, practicing teachers, education advocates, and many others will find useful information here.” —Benjamin Riley, Deans for Impact “This work should join the ‘common core’ of teacher education and professional development programs.” —Lee S. Shulman, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching “The authors lay out a compelling call to action to ensure that every teacher in this country has the skills, knowledge, and disposition in knowing how to use data to inform effective teaching.” —Aimee Rogstad Guidera, Data Quality Campaign

Leaders from both private and public institutions provide a 360-degree view of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education—and offer a manifesto for restoring relevance and respect. Where is the value in higher education? How can higher education restore its relevance and trust with students and parents? Are there really any meaningful differences between public and private higher education? This volume probes those questions and more, exploring the myriad issues that have led many people to question whether higher education is worth the sacrifices it requires of parents and students. Drawing on the experience and expertise of a wide variety of highly renowned academics, respected government officials, and well-grounded individuals from the private sector, this thought-provoking book offers readers simple but powerful ways to evaluate whether prospective colleges and universities merit the very substantial investment of time, abilities, and financial resources they necessitate. Readers will learn what to look for in a college or university and what questions to ask in selecting an institution of higher education. They will also learn how parents, students, academicians, and other stakeholders can advocate for changes to benefit both higher education and the constituency it serves.

This book outlines a model for a teacher residency and how to establish a yearlong residency within an educator preparation program. It describes the four-year experiences of stakeholders at Tarleton State University but can be used as a step-by-step guide, in whole or in part, to transforming teacher preparation at any university. After a brief description of the “traditional” clinical model and why a university may look to make a change, the book offers a roadmap for the entire process of moving to a residency model. The chapters provide detailed explanations of how to build mutually beneficial partnerships with school districts, utilize co-teaching models, and create revised roles for cooperating teachers, teacher-residents, university and district leaders, and site coordinators. Contributing authors also cover change processes (successes and failures), funding models, scaling, sustainability, data collection, and evidence of effectiveness. Based on Tarleton’s recognition as one of the fastest-scaling residency programs and most complete transformations to date, the tools presented offer any teacher prep program the opportunity to make the leap to a residency model. This resource is also ideal for school district leaders seeking guidance on building or enhancing existing partnerships with universities, and for in-service teachers interested in discovering new co-teaching models.

While online learning has become pervasive in many fields in higher education, it has been adopted somewhat slower in teacher education. In addition, more research is needed to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of online education in teacher preparation. Teacher Education Programs and Online Learning Tools: Innovations in Teacher Preparation presents information about current online practices and research in teacher education programs, and explores the opportunities, methods, and issues surrounding technologically innovative opportunities in teacher preparation. It presents empirical evidence of teacher candidate learning and assessment in the context of various online aspects of teacher licensure.