Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals
The Improving Teacher Quality State Grants program increases student achievement by elevating teacher and principal quality through recruitment, hiring, and retention strategies. The program uses evidence-based professional development interventions to build capacity and strengthen the quality of our certified staff. Title II was created because research shows that teacher quality is Professional Development.
Our goal is the development of professional capabilities in schools to increase student proficiency levels by providing evidence-based training and support strategies to teachers, principals and learning communities. The following initiatives and programs are provided through Title II A:
New Teacher Program - In order to ensure equitable distribution the Oklahoma State Department of Education suggests that initiatives are in place to retain highly qualified teachers and principals. This can be achieved through mentoring, induction, support for new teachers and principals, and financial incentives to retain teachers and principals. Prior to the 09-10 school year, new teachers (1-5) years had access to monthly “sit and get” professional development opportunities. Realizing that this type of professional development doesn’t meet the needs of teachers and ultimately students, the New Teacher Program was revamped for the 09-10 school year. Although meetings are still monthly, professional development is now more hands-on and reflective. Additionally participants of the New Teacher Program are asked to complete and electronic portfolio and have access to multiple resources including a coach9as well as a mentor required by the state) and a portal full of resources.
Instructional Facilitator Program - Campus Instructional Facilitators provide a needed role in schools identified for improvement by the State and/or District. Instructional Facilitators support regular, bilingual and special education teachers in the implementation and monitoring of the Campus Improvement Plan, rigorous standards-based teaching strategies, and the Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills. Facilitators work directly with teachers in a targeted school site providing classroom-based demonstrations, collaborative and one-one-one interactions. Additionally, they facilitate teacher inquiry and related professional development. Instructional facilitators also focus on enhancing teachers' ability to provide instruction that builds students' academic skills, is academically rigorous, addresses curriculum standards through an aligned curriculum framework that enhances students' engagement and provides for student ownership of their learning.