Riley Proposes Teacher Education Changes

Education Secretary Richard Riley has outlined an ambitious blueprint to reform teacher education that may get support from two usual adversaries: teacher unions and congressional Republicans.
In his annual state of American education address, Riley proposed a three-tiered licensing system for teachers, beginning with a three-year introductory certificate for new instructors. Teachers then would progress to one and possibly two more levels based on their skills and expertise, earning higher wages along the way.
The program also would require major reforms of teacher education programs at colleges and universities, the secretary says.
"Our colleges of education can no longer be the sleepy backwaters that many of them have been," he said in the speech delivered in Los Angeles on Feb. 16.
"Our system of higher education is not there yet when it comes to preparing the next generation of America's teachers," he added.
Under the secretary's plan, teachers would receive an initial certificate once they pass a written exam of content and teaching knowledge. Schools would offer these teachers annual contracts and weed out those with limited teaching skills. States then would develop a professional licensure program with additional training and peer reviews.
The final step would be a voluntary additional license through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Those who attain this level would receive increased pay, and educators who participate would help make teaching "the first-class profession that it deserves to be," he said.
Riley's broad-brush idea drew support from at least two key players in any reform debate.
"Across the nation, states are searching for ways to attract and retain teachers, and we have an urgent need to attract more than 2 million teachers over the next decade," said Bob Chase, National Education Association president. "This dialogue is sorely needed and couldn't come at a better time."
Chase endorsed the Riley plan, noting that it does not impose rigid federal requirements.
"His proposal is not to ‘federalize' teacher licensing. Instead, Secretary Riley is asking each state to carefully develop its own standards and procedures. This is something we support and encourage," he said.
The plan also received some support from Rep. William Goodling (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. In his view, however, the Clinton administration is beginning to incorporate Republican ideas into the reform of teacher education.
"The Clinton administration has again come around to Republican education  ideas in the same way it recently came around to the notions of accountability and a ban on social promotion," he said. "Just a few short years ago, these ideas were heresy to Democrats."
Goodling also feels that the federal government should encourage states to set higher standards and improve training programs.
"Motivating states in these areas — rather than dictates and micro-management from Washington — is the way to go," he said.
In his address, Riley said new education standards have raised achievement despite a shortage of teachers. But addressing this shortage could bridge achievement gaps between low-income and more affluent children.
"We have a stubborn achievement gap between the well-off and the poor. This is a hard, cold reality," the secretary said. "Too many of our schools are failing some of our children and some of them shouldn't be called schools at all."
He also called low teacher salaries "a very real problem" — one that should be addressed by providing merit and skills-based pay. Riley also called for a national conference on teacher quality with participation from college and university presidents, teachers, and other education leaders. This group would "develop a road map" for the future, he added.