ELC Commends Adoption of Temporary Teaching Certificates in Texas; New Certification Options Break Down Barriers, Raising Standards for Teacher Quality

4/5/2004

From: Kimberly Tulp of Education Leaders Council, 202-213-3186 or kbt@educationleaders.org; Web: http://www.educationleaders.org

WASHINGTON, April 5 -- Committed to education reform policies and programs that ensure equal access to quality teachers for all students, Education Leaders Council today praised the decision by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification to approve temporary teaching certificates. The decision offers new routes to certification for individuals teaching in grades eight through 12, addressing critical concerns over teacher shortages and subject matter expertise in middle and high school.

"This decision breaks down unnecessary barriers for qualified teachers to enter the classroom," said Lisa Graham Keegan, CEO of Education Leaders Council. "Day in and day out, we have seen individuals turned away by a system that does not have the flexibility to place a quality teacher in every classroom. Addressing resulting shortages is important, but the most valuable outcome of these new certification options is the increased focused on assuring that teachers have the knowledge that is proven to increase student learning. Texas is, once again, setting the standard for the nation in meeting the needs of all students."

The State Board decision paves the way for new programs to be available in Texas, such as the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. Founded by ELC and the National Council for Teacher Quality, the American Board is being adopted in states nationwide as an alternate route to full certification.

Based on research that has demonstrated best practices to improve student achievement, American Board Passport Certification consists of a series of rigorous examinations that measure professional teaching knowledge and subject area mastery. In Texas, the exams will be available for English and math with additional high-need subject areas to be added. The American Board offers the first nationally recognized certification, recognized as an approved provider of teacher certification in the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

About ELC: ELC, a member-based organization comprised of policymakers, administrators, teachers and parents, advocates for a new day in education that focuses on making education work better students - not the system. ELC advances policies and programs that support academic accountability, teacher quality, school choice and educational technology.

Based in Washington DC, ELC acts aggressively at the grassroots and national levels to overcome the status quo, break down barriers to change, and pave the way for all student to access and learn through quality education. For more information, please visit http://www.educationleaders.org.