In 1996, New York began a sweeping reform of elementary, middle and secondary education. No less dramatic reform is needed in the way we recruit, prepare, certify, and continue to educate teachers. The Regents Task Force on Teaching has developed the blueprint for this reform effort and we must create a partnership with the educational community to accomplish change.
Every classroom needs a well-qualified teacher.
10,700 teachers are now teaching with temporary licenses, most in New York City. School enrollment will be increasing over the next decade when 50 percent of teachers become eligible to retire. The State needs stronger teacher education programs attracting more, better qualified candidates, including minorities, and preparing them to teach all students to the new higher learning standards. In 2005, all students must pass five more rigorous Regents exams to graduate based on higher learning standards Strategies For Success Work with EMSC to adopt rigorous standards for teacher education programs that align with student learning standards. Operation Certification will provide short-term, competitive grants to teacher preparation programs which assist teachers holding temporary licenses attain permanent certification.