Texas Teaching Commission
The Texas Teaching Commission (The Commission) was a 17-member network of teacher representatives, business leaders and advocacy groups charged with holistically examining the teaching continuum in Texas and recommending strategies for improvement. Educate Texas convened the group.
Launched in December 2011 with financial support from The Meadows Foundation, Sid W. Richardson Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Communities Foundation of Texas, the Commission spent 12 months hearing from experts, evaluating research and participating in thoughtful dialogue on how to support improved teacher effectiveness through policy and practice in Texas. Objectives included:
- Supporting a productive dialogue among stakeholders about recognized and effective teaching programs and practices
- Creating programmatic and policy recommendations for legislators, state agencies and districts to promote effective teaching
- Engaging cross-sector stakeholders to increase state and local involvement around effective teaching initiatives
The group was chaired by former TEA Commissioner Mike Moses and co-chaired by former TEA Commissioner Jim Nelson, and engaged representatives from the Texas Education Agency and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, K-12 and higher education, business leaders and advocacy groups. Their work culminated in 2012 with publication of the Texas Teaching Commission Report: Recommendations for the Next Generation of Teaching Policy. The report highlights key issues and recommendations for effective teaching, which prompted the 83rd legislature to pass bills facilitating the creation of:
- Educator Innovator Program for districts to develop their own plans to enhance teaching quality
- A Texas Teacher Residency Program that certifies teachers with extensive fieldwork
- Updated admission requirements for teacher preparation programs
- A loan repayment program aimed at attracting more science and math teachers
The report is still in use as a statewide resource for supporting improved policy and practice for effective teaching.
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