NCTAF, MetLife Foundation and Chalkboard Project Convene Forum to Mobilize Education Stakeholders in Support of 21st Century Teaching

Panelists Discuss Strategies to Strengthen Oregon’s Teaching Corps

PORTLAND, Ore. – November 18, 2008 – The expectations and challenges for teachers have grown as the demand to prepare a well-educated and diverse student population has changed.

As pressure is continually placed on teachers to meet this challenge alone, the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) and Chalkboard Project today convened an education leadership forum, “The Future of Teaching in Oregon,” to discuss strategies on how to assure effective teaching for every child.

This forum, sponsored by MetLife Foundation, is the final in a series of conversations that NCTAF is holding across the country to call attention to the fact that quality teaching should not be looked at as an individual accomplishment. Instead, there is a need to bring the spirit and power of teamwork to schools – teamwork that builds the capacity to improve performance, increase teaching effectiveness, and close achievement gaps.

According to NCTAF, a supportive, collaborative school environment is beneficial for both teachers and students.  When teachers are thrown into “sink or swim” situations, many decide to leave the profession. In Oregon, 37% of teachers leave within the first five years. 

“Teachers cite many reasons for leaving, but school culture and professional working conditions are always high on the list,” said NCTAF President Tom Carroll. “If we are to meet the needs of 21st century learners, we must move away from isolated teaching in stand-alone classrooms.”

Chalkboard Project has been a leader in teaching quality in Oregon.  By promoting teaching conditions that enable teachers to teach more effectively, Chalkboard has advocated for strong mentoring and professional development legislation while also developing models of new career paths and compensation options for teachers.  Chalkboard and NCTAF are joining forces to build a statewide coalition in support of 21st century teaching.

“Today’s forum is an inspiring collaboration of various stakeholders uniting to improve the way students learn.   The future does not merely rest on the shoulders of our children; it rests on those preparing them for that future – our teachers.  Collaboration is the key to ensuring their success,” said Sue Hildick, Chalkboard Project president.

“Teamwork in schools can make the difference in creating a supportive, student-centered culture where achievement thrives,” said MetLife Foundation President Sibyl Jacobson. “NCTAF and Chalkboard Project are well positioned to promote strategies that empower teachers to improve instruction.”

At the forum, two panels addressed existing challenges and highlighted initiatives and strategies that offer better support for teachers.  The forum featured several promising practices that can serve as models for Oregon. One such model is the teacher preparation program at Portland State University. In order to better prepare teachers for the classroom, teacher candidates work in cohorts in order to learn from one another, and use assessments to help inform their teaching skills, while there remains a seamless system from induction to practice.

The forum also brought together some of the most forward-thinking education leaders in the state to address the need for a collective responsibility for the success of every child.  Panelists covered a range of topics, including 21st century teaching, professional development, mentoring legislation, community involvement, rethinking teacher preparation, higher education/K-12 partnerships, and the business community’s role in education.

Jack McGowan, former Executive Director of SOLV, moderated both panels. Panelists included: Susan Castillo, State Superintendent of Public Instruction; George Pernsteiner, Chancellor of Higher Education; Rep. Arnie Roblan, Oregon House of Representatives; Vickie Chamberlain, Executive Director, Teacher Standards and Practices Commission; James Sager, Governor’s Education Policy Advisor; Duncan Wyse, State Board Chair and Executive Director of Oregon Business Council; Randy Hitz, Dean of Education, Portland State University; Eduardo Angulo, Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality; Vickie Fleming, Superintendent, Redmond School District; Kelly Carlisle, Principal, Salem-Keizer School District; and Todd Jones, Teacher, West Linn High School.

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The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. NCTAF is dedicated to providing every child with competent, caring, qualified teachers in schools organized for success.With a network of 25 partner states and links to professional educational organizations across the nation, NCTAF provides leadership on innovation and improvement in teaching and learning in America’s schools.For more information, visit NCTAF’s website: www.nctaf.org.

Launched in early 2004, Chalkboard Project exists to inspire Oregonians to do what it takes to make the state’s K-12 public schools among the nation’s best, while strengthening our school system’s financial accountability to taxpayers.  Chalkboard – an initiative of Foundations for a Better Oregon – is sponsored by a growing list of independent foundations. The founding five foundations are: The Collins Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, Jeld-Wen Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, and The Oregon Community Foundation. For more information about Chalkboard and to learn how to get involved, call (877) YOUR-K12 or visit: www.chalkboardproject.org.

MetLife Foundation supports programs that increase opportunities for young people to succeed, give students and teachers a voice in improving education, create connections between schools and communities and develop leadership. The Foundation works with national nonprofit organizations to develop a variety of programs, many of which address issues raised each year in The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher. For more information about MetLife Foundation, please visit: www.metlife.org.