Proposal Process for Becoming a NCTAF Coalition

A state interested in becoming a coalition should submit a proposal to NCTAF that includes:

1. A letter indicating a commitment to establishing a partnership with NCTAF. The letter must demonstrate the commitment of the state’s key education stakeholder groups.  Examples include: the governor's office, the state board and/or agencies responsible for teacher and teaching policy, key legislators, higher education, teachers’ unions and associations, and business and community leaders.
   
   
2. A commitment form, signed by the individual who will serve as the contact person and by the chair of the state’s policy group that is responsible for overseeing the state’s teaching quality work that is related to NCTAF recommendations and strategies.
   
   
3. A brief narrative that explains the state's current status, concerns, and plans regarding quality teaching. This narrative should discuss how issues associated with ensuring that all children have high quality teaching – i.e., organizing every school for teaching and learning success; insisting on high quality teacher preparation, accreditation, and licensing; and building rewarding careers for teachers – are related to other education reforms underway or proposed in the state.
   
   The following are suggested considerations to include in this narrative: 
   
   

• What initiatives are underway that could support NCTAF’s   recommendations from No Dream Denied? 
  
  
• Which needs are most pressing for the state?
  
  
• What partnerships or coalitions are being forged within the state or with other national organizations?
  
  
• In what way are you uniquely positioned to become a partner at this point in time?
  
  
• How will your involvement in NCTAF’s Partnership Network help the state move forward with its quality teaching agenda?
  
  
• What commitments and/or investments is the state prepared to make in order to pursue its quality teaching agenda in a comprehensive way?
  
  
• Who will comprise the policy group, and what will be the group’s plan for proceeding with the quality teaching agenda and with NCTAF?  (See # 2 above and #2 on NCTAF Partner State Commitments attached for definition of policy group.)

NCTAF’s decision to accept a proposal for partnership will be based on the following:

1. The ability to engage key policy makers, educators, governing authorities, and community leaders in collaborating on this agenda;
   
   
2. The commitment to the overarching ideals of the NCTAF policy framework; and
   
   
3. Evidence of commitment to collecting, reporting, and sharing teaching quality information and to developing and preparing a strategic plan for ensuring that every child has competent, caring, and qualified teaching in schools organized for success.

For more information about NCTAF state coalitions, contact:

Karen Smith                                                              

Chief Operating Officer                                               

ksmith@nctaf.org                                                    

National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future

2100 M Street, NW, Suite 660

Washington, DC  20037

Phone: 202.429.2570 

Fax: 202.429.2571