15 Nov2021
By Linda Minor
The deadline is approaching to submit for a 2022 AACTE Award. These award submissions can be either self-nominated or nominated by a third party and the winner will be recognized at the 74th AACTE Annual Meeting, March 4-6 in New Orleans, LA. To submit your nomination, visit AACTE’s online submission site. The deadline is this Friday, November 19.
AACTE’s awards program recognizes member institutions’ exemplary programs as well as individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to education preparation. For an overview of the 2021 award winners, see this press release.
15 Nov2021
By Meghan Grenda
As the fall semester creeps to a close, it’s easy to forget about all that is available to you via your AACTE membership. Check out these member resources:
Resource Library – Have you accessed the AACTE Resource Library lately? If so, you have probably noticed a few changes, including a single sign on system. AACTE has completed its database migration and with that you will find a seamless way to transition between your AACTE profile and the improved AACTE Resource Library. Feel free to view some of the latest resources below:
15 Nov2021
By Jane E. West and Kaitlyn Brennan
This blog post is written by AACTE consultant Jane West and is intended to provide updated information. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.
While Congress has been out of session this week for a Veteran’s Day recess, the action behind the scenes continues to be dominated by the prospects of finalizing the reconciliation bill, or the Build Back Better plan. Educators are eager to see this make it over the finish line, as it includes important investments for education, including $610 million for the educator pipeline.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Heads to President Biden for Signature
Last Friday, all eyes were on the House of Representatives where Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was working overtime to schedule a vote on both the bipartisan infrastructure bill (which had already passed the Senate) and the partisan reconciliation bill (which has passed neither body but is being intensely negotiated behind the scenes). Pelosi could afford to lose only three Democratic votes and still pass the bills.
12 Nov2021
By National Academy of Education
Landscape Analysis Report
A Tale of Two Cities: State Evaluation Systems of Teacher Preparation Programs
The National Academy of Education (NAEd) steering committee for Evaluating and Improving Teacher Preparation Programs commissioned the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) to produce a teacher evaluation system landscape analysis, including a state-by-state summary of the evaluation system components and an analysis of similarities and differences between and among states. Authored by AACTE Dean in Residence Leslie T. Fenwick, this landscape analysis report presents information and data about state evaluation standards for teacher preparation programs and providers.
08 Nov2021
By Ronn Nozoe and Earl Franks
Permission granted by Jeremiah Robinson, the Office of Mayor Martin J. Walsh, City of Boston
In this time of division and crisis, we, as school leaders, cannot sit quietly by. Volatile and violent debates threaten to erode our hallways and undermine our solemn promise to America’s students—to provide them with high-quality education in safe spaces. We are compelled to reaffirm what and who we stand for and to advocate for a collective recommitment to civility in our schools and in our communities.
08 Nov2021
By Linda Minor
This past year has undoubtedly presented our nation’s education system with many hurdles, including the pandemic, remote learning challenges, climbing teacher shortages, student learning loss, and so much more. While we may have weathered the worst of the health crisis, much more needs to be done in overcoming the destruction it left in its wake. That’s why it is more important than ever to attend next year’s AACTE Annual Meeting. Be a champion for change by joining us in person in New Orleans, March 4-6, 2022, as we “Rethink, Reshape, Reimagine, and Revolutionize: Growing Our Profession Post Pandemic.”
08 Nov2021
By CSUDH
This article originally appeared on the California State University, Dominguez Hills news site and is reprinted with permission.
Snap Inc., developer of Snapchat, announced a $5 million gift to California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) for the creation and endowment of a new institute focused on addressing equity gaps in computing education. The gift comprises the largest single donation ever given to the CSUDH campus.
08 Nov2021
By Meghan Grenda
Enjoy the change in seasons and plan your fall getaway with savings from your Avis and Budget Car Rental Savings Program. AACTE members can save up to 35% off base rates with the Pay Now feature on every rental, plus receive additional offers like dollars off, a complimentary upgrade or a free weekend day.
08 Nov2021
By Jane E. West and Kaitlyn Brennan
This blog post is written by AACTE consultant Jane West and is intended to provide updated information. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.
Educators watched closely as local elections around the country provided hints for what may be coming in next year’s Congressional midterms and even the 2024 presidential race. With the victory of Republican Glenn Youngkin for Virginia’s next governor, the spotlight was on education issues—particularly parental voice in local education decisions. Issues like Critical Race Theory (which is not taught in Virginia public schools but used as a proxy for teaching about race), vaccination mandates and school closures, and the rights of transgender students took center stage.
05 Nov2021
By Linda Minor
What are three reasons to apply for a 2022 AACTE Best Practice Award?
- Showcase your educator preparation program as a model for other higher education institutions
- Receive national recognition from your peers
- Celebrate your team’s contributions that are revolutionizing education for all learners
We invite you to self-nominate or nominate colleagues for the following Best Practice Awards—open to AACTE members only:
05 Nov2021
By Nicole Dunn
AACTE has released a new podcast series that chronicles the multi-year principal program redesign initiative undertaken by the Wallace Foundation: The University Principal Preparation Initiative (UPPI). This podcast is designed to inspire learning opportunities and educational partnerships among AACTE members and stakeholders and to create highly trained and qualified principals who will influence and shape their learning communities.
In the first episode, AACTE interviews Rochelle Herring, senior program officer at the Wallace Foundation, to introduce the initiative, though which seven principal preparation programs were selected to partner with district and state leaders in their redesign efforts, as well as investigate how state policy could be leveraged to improve the quality of principal preparation statewide. Throughout the conversation, Herring cites research proving that the principal is a multiplier of good teaching and therefore, improved learning.
03 Nov2021
By Michael Dantley
I have had the pleasure of serving in several leadership positions within AACTE and, beginning in March 2022, will serve as chair of the AACTE Board of Directors. These have been busy and challenging times for all of us, and AACTE’s volunteer leaders have been working hard with President & CEO Lynn M. Gangone and the entire National Office team to ensure that AACTE is well positioned to advance its vision of revolutionizing education for all learners. A sample of the board’s recent activities include the following:
- Establishing a new strategic plan for the Association, including new strategic priorities on advocacy, DEI, and educator preparation policy, practice, and research
- Completing a successful sale of AACTE’s office building in Washington, DC and investing a portion of the proceeds in new technology platforms to better serve members
- Updating AACTE’s governance structure to reflect best practices in non-profit management
- Advising the National Office team on AACTE’s response to COVID-19
03 Nov2021
By Jacqueline Rodriguez
Higher education is a critical part of the early childhood education (ECE) profession as it serves as the primary pipeline for the early childhood education workforce. And, like early childhood educators, most ECE higher education programs find themselves under-resourced and under-valued. As such, the Unifying Framework for the Early Childhood Education Profession calls for a significant investment in ECE higher education programs to shore up the ECE workforce pipeline and to ensure that practitioners are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support the development and education of young children.
02 Nov2021
By Linda Minor
The annual AACTE call for award nominations has been extended through November 19. This means you still have time to nominate a colleague who has made a significant impact on educator preparation for the 2022 Margaret B. Lindsey Award, David G. Imig Award, or Edward C. Pomeroy Award. AACTE will honor the 2022 award recipients at the 74th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, March 4-6.
These professional achievement awards honor individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to the educator preparation profession with their research, policy leadership, or other service to the community. I hope you will take this opportunity to help AACTE recognize one of your peers for similar contributions to the field and profession.
02 Nov2021
By Leslie Reed
Western Governors University’s (WGU) Teachers College will mark the National Education Association’s (NEA) 2021 American Education Week Nov. 15-19 by announcing its WGU Loves Teachers and Become a Teacher scholarship programs, together totaling $6 million, for current and future education professionals who wish to pursue bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in the Teachers College.
