14 Mar2023
By Elizabeth Foster
The U.S. Department of Education is refreshing the National Educational Technology Plan. I am writing to extend this special invitation to participate in a group listening session. The group listening session for teacher education faculty and teacher preparation candidates only will take place on Thursday, March 16 from 1:00 –2:30 p.m. PDT/ 4:00-5:30 p.m. EDT.
To accept this invitation, please complete this confirmation form. Registration is required to participate.
14 Mar2023
By Kaitlyn Brennan
This weekly Washington Update is intended to keep members informed on Capitol Hill activities impacting the educator preparation community. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.
On Thursday, the Biden-Harris Administration unveiled their FY2024 budget proposal. Under the request, the Department of Education would receive $90 billion in total discretionary funding — a $10.3 billion or 13.6% increase over the FY 2023 enacted level of funding provided for the Department of Education. In addition to the $90 billion in discretionary spending, the proposal also calls for new mandatory spending requests which include $600 billion over ten years for universal preschool and expanded support for childcare and $96 billion over ten years in new spending to double the maximum Pell grant by 2029, and $90 billion over ten years for a new free community college program. The budget request also includes $578 million in new funding to increase the number of counselors, school psychologists, and other health professionals in schools. This increase is spread among three programs: $428 million split between the School-Based Mental Services and Mental Health Services Professional Demonstration programs and $150 million within FIPSE for colleges to address student mental health needs.
14 Mar2023
By Kaitlyn Brennan
The new “In the States” feature by Kaitlyn Brennan is a weekly update to keep members informed on state-level activities impacting the education and educator preparation community.
On Monday, lawmakers on the Florida state House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Subcommittee passed FL HB999 (23R) — a wide ranging legislation that would introduce a number of new policies for the state university system across Florida. These policies include but are not limited to eliminating majors or minors that touch on subjects such as critical race theory and “radical” feminist or gender theories. The proposal would also prohibit universities and colleges from spending or accepting funds — from the state, feds, or elsewhere — on programs linked to diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory.
14 Mar2023
By Tunara Moore
The 2023 Annual Meeting has passed, and AACTE would like to thank attendees for sharing their experiences on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, using the #AACTE23 hashtag during the 3-day conference.
Thanks to attendees who went viral with their posts and photos, the 75th Annual Meeting gained a significant amount of awareness across social media with more than 1200 conversations taking place. In addition, these numerous posts, reposts, likes, and comments, brought increased attention to the many ways members are revolutionizing education, advocating for educator preparation and elevating the teaching profession.
09 Mar2023
By Amy Kline
On Thursday, March 30, the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NJACTE) will be hosting our Annual Day of Assessment with the theme, “Authenticity and Improvement: Reimagining Assessment in a Changing Landscape.” The conference is free to attend and open to all AACTE affiliate members and their professional networks. Register now.
A Pre-Conference Session “8 Approaches to Transform Your Self Study into Meaningful Reflections” by our generous sponsor HelioCampus will begin at 1:00 p.m. The pre-conference session will be followed by the opening presentation “Assessment and Continuous Improvement: We’re Doing Everything Right, But Are We Doing the Right Things?” with panelists from The College of New Jersey and Rutgers University – New Brunswick.
07 Mar2023
By Kaitlyn Brennan
Last week, a massive education bill started to move its way through the Arkansas state legislature. It is likely that the bill will pass through the state Senate this week before heading to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders desk for signature. The robust legislative package, SB294, otherwise known as Arkansas LEARNS has been touted by the governor as addressing a vast array of education issues ranging from school choice to increasing the starting salary for teachers across the state. While many school choice advocates are supporting the bill, going so far as to provide the financial backing for an extensive public relations campaign that includes television and Facebook ads, the legislation does not come without criticism. Arkansas minority whip, Democrat Rep. Vivian Flowers expressed her concern, saying:
07 Mar2023
By Kaitlyn Brennan
In February, the House Education and Workforce Committee held their first hearing: “American Education in Crisis.” During the chairwoman’s opening remarks, Virginia Foxx (R-NC) expressed her support for H.R.5 , more commonly referred to as “The Parent Bill of Rights.” The legislation was first introduced in the 117th Congress and would require K-12 school districts receiving federal funding to publicly post their curriculum and annually provide parents with a list of books in the school library, a breakdown of school expenditures, the ability to opt their child out of all data collection, and more. As anticipated, on Wednesday, House Republicans reintroduced the bill.
07 Mar2023
By Michael Rose
AACTE joins scores of organizations in celebrating this year’s Civic Learning Week, which takes place from March 6 – 10. This is a critical moment to call for increased understanding of the essentials of our government, how to engage with elected officials and understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
07 Mar2023
By Weade James
AACTE is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2022 Holmes Research and Dissertation Retreat. The event will take place April 3 – 4, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on both days at the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.
Co-sponsored by the PNC Foundation and Florida Atlantic University, the Holmes Research and Dissertation Retreat will equip Holmes scholars with knowledge and tools to enhance their research productivity and navigate the dissertation process. Topics will include research methods and approaches, how to select and integrate a theoretical framework, how to identify grants and funding opportunities to support their dissertation and scholarship, and strategies to successfully publish and present their research to an interdisciplinary audience. Registration ($25) is required for scholars. Register today.
06 Mar2023
By Annie Ma
This article was originally published by The Associated Press.
Surrounded by kindergarteners, Lana Scott held up a card with upper and lower case Ys, dotted with pictures of words that started with that letter: Yo-yo. Yak. Yacht.
“What sound does Y make?” Scott asked a boy. Head down, he mumbled: “Yuh.” Instead of moving on, she gave him a nudge.
“Say it confident, because you know it,” she urged. “Be confident in your answer because you know it.”
He sat up and sounded it out again, louder this time. Scott smiled and turned her attention to the other kids in her group session.
01 Mar2023
By Natalie Khairallah
Local-, state-, and federal-level advocacy is more important than ever as the teacher preparation landscape is changing. Fueled by critical current issues, AACTE recently asked members to raise their voice and support a forward momentum of change as part of the 75 Days | 75 Ways to Advocate for Education.
Thank you to all participants who mobilized and provided a tip on how to support education, educators, and students and their families. Your voice and your name will continue to advocate for inclusive education policies in two new formats that were released at the 2023 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis:
01 Mar2023
By AACTE
At the conclusion of the recent 2023 Annual Meeting, Monika Williams Shealey became the new chair of the AACTE Board of Directors. Shealey is the senior vice president, diversity, equity, and inclusion at Rowan University. She is joined on the AACTE Executive Committee by the following:
Michael Dantley, Immediate Past Chair (pictured)
Dean Emeritus, College of Education, Health and Society
Miami University of Ohio
01 Mar2023
By AACTE
AACTE joins the Learning First Alliance (LFA) in celebrating Public Schools Week 2023 — a time for administrators, teachers, specialists, teacher educators, parents, and school board members to participate in events and discuss the importance of public education. AACTE supports Public Schools Week and thanks our public school teachers and educators who work tirelessly every day to educate our nation’s students. Learn about its importance and how to participate.
As a partnering organization, AACTE recognizes that teachers, principals, and staff who serve in U.S. public schools are key to helping students succeed, especially in these extraordinary times and circumstances. With a focus on what educators have learned and what they are currently experiencing to rethink teaching and learning, this year’s Public Schools Week honors a commitment to family, school, and community engagement. AACTE members are invited to take part in the week’s activities from February 27 to March 3.
01 Mar2023
By Katrina Norfleet
AACTE welcomes Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D., senior vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Rowan University, as the new chair of its board of directors.
During her one-year term, Shealey will support AACTE and President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone, Ed.D., in implementing the Association’s strategic goals, elevating education and education preparation; prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and advancing the educator profession—during a year in which AACTE will celebrate its 75th anniversary.
“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on the board, AACTE staff and President Lynn Gangone in advancing our strategic priorities, supporting and advocating on behalf of our members, and nurturing the next generation of leaders in the Association by creating pathways and resources for our students, state leaders, faculty, and institutional leaders,” said Shealey.
27 Feb2023
By Leslie Ekpe
Congratulations to Eleanor Su-Keene, Holmes Scholar of the Month for February 2023.
Su-Keene is a recent graduate of Florida Atlantic University where she obtained her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Su-Keene holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in biochemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). She also has a Master of Science in molecular ecology from UNR with a focus in teaching and learning in secondary science.
