Texas Teacher Preparation Collaborative
From January 2016 to January 2017, Educate Texas convened the Texas Teacher Preparation Collaborative (The Collaborative) to provide a statewide platform for educators and policymakers to focus on teacher preparation and to promote best practices and policies to affect real change for current and future teachers in Texas.
Formed in the wake of substantive debate in the Texas legislature in 2014-2015 regarding teacher preparation and proven practices, The Collaborative consisted of Texas college and university deans of education, alternative certification leaders, teachers, principals, superintendents and advocacy leaders committed to making a difference. The group’s objectives were to:
- Create policy recommendations at the legislative, state agency, school district, institution of higher education, and alternative certification program levels
- Research and share national and state best practices and policies that have resulted in the most effective teachers
- Educate and engage stakeholders to develop outreach strategies for building excitement within the education, policy, and business communities to foster support for legislative and regulatory reforms
The Collaborative produced a comprehensive report that takes a close look at the current status of teacher preparation in Texas and makes recommendations for the legislature, the state agencies and the educator preparation programs (EPPs) to improve policies and practices in 2017-2018 and beyond. This body of work will continue to inform state policy and engage leaders to support educator program improvements.
Partner organizations included:
- Professional Development: Learning Forward
- K-12 Education: Spring ISD, El Paso ISD
- Higher Education:Texas Tech University, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Southern Methodist University
- Alternative Certification Programs: iTeach Texas, Educational Service Center 4, TNTP (formally The New Teacher Project)
- Community Based Organizations: Deans for Impact, Teach Plus, Commit!
- State Agency: Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Recommendations Report
Additional Resources