Teacher Preparation and Standards Legal & Ethical Guide by Ashley Allen https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag This legal & ethical guide was created with instructional coaches in mind. en-us 2022-09-26 14:05:57 UTC 2022-09-29 17:42:42 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/2696.png Slide #1- Professional Perspective aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313733536
  • My name is Ashley Allen, and I am currently pursuing a master's in the Curriculum & Instruction, Advanced Instructor program. My future role is to be an Instructional Coach in a Middle School (grades 6-8) setting. As an instructional coach, I will work closely with a diverse blend of middle school teachers to help them improve their knowledge and skills to increase their students' performance.         
  • The topic of my legal and ethical guide is teacher preparation and standards. I chose this topic because there is currently a significant teacher shortage in the United States. Some in education claim that teachers are leaving because they have not been adequately prepared to meet today's students' needs. As an instructional coach, it will be my job to provide teachers with guidance and support to ensure they are as prepared as possible. I will also need to ensure my teachers are up to date on any new standards they must meet to keep their license current.

    • ]]>     2022-09-26 14:12:23 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313733536     Slide #2- Interview with Angela Westmoreland aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313735137
  • Angela Westmoreland is an instructional coach at Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Before starting this position in March 2022, she was the school-based instructional coach for almost four years at the largest middle school in Cumberland County, serving over 80 teachers in all content areas and providing training in various technology tools such as the Canvas LMS.
  • Due to the ongoing teacher shortages, more teachers who do not meet the basic certification requirements are being hired. Increasingly, the task of providing support and on-the-job training for these teachers is falling on instructional coaches. "School-based instructional coaches are expected to work one-on-one with initially licensed and lateral entry teachers to acclimate them to the school, specific evaluation standards, writing lesson plans, technology, curriculum standards, classroom management, and more" (A. Westmoreland, personal communication, September 25, 2022). It is becoming apparent that instructional coaches will not only aid experienced teachers with understanding new technologies and standards but will also need to guide new teachers in basic pedagogy. 
  • Mrs. Westmoreland's best practice recommendations (A. Westmoreland, personal communication, September 25, 2022):
    1. Provide differentiated Professional Development utilizing teacher choice. Differentiated instruction allows teachers to learn at the level they feel the most comfortable.
    2. Follow up Professional Development with real-world, classroom application. Of course, understanding a theory is significant, but practical application is frequently "more important" to teachers than the history of a framework or idea.
    3. Build capacity in teacher leaders. Allow teachers to present Professional Development and training. Peer-to-peer instruction is highly effective.
  • It is often the responsibility of the instructional coach to work with initially licensed and lateral entry teachers, monitoring their progress toward established goals and required standards. Instructional coaches must keep specific documentation acknowledging that progress, and official paperwork must be submitted to the state each year. Some of this documentation includes meeting attendance, coaching sessions, mentoring sessions, and Professional Development requirements. In North Carolina, a teacher must complete three full years of classroom teaching to transition from a "temporary" license to a full teaching license (A. Westmoreland, personal communication, September 25, 2022). An issue may emerge if a school has such a large number of new teachers that the instructional coach can not keep up with all of the required paperwork. All involved in education should keep an eye on this due to the many underqualified teachers being hired. 

    • ]]>     2022-09-26 14:13:02 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313735137     Slide #3- Professional Association aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313736035
  • In this 2019 article from the National School Boards Association, Veronica Gerald details how schools facing teacher shortages have turned to less than capable or ill-prepared teachers to fill vacancies. As a result, these teachers have become overwhelmed and disheartened, causing them to consider leaving the profession. Gerald explains that an instructional coach can provide support, mentorship, resources, and one-on-one guidance that may lead to better-prepared teachers who remain in the teaching profession. 

    • Gerald, V. (2019, October 1). Teacher retention: A growing problem. National School Boards Association. https://nsba.org/ASBJ/2019/October/Teacher-Retention
    ]]>     2022-09-26 14:13:28 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313736035     Slide #4- Current News Article aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313737261 Education Week
    • Approximately 12 states have recently changed the criteria that potential teachers must meet to become certified.
    • Changes include:
      • Lowering exam score requirements,
      • Dropping exam requirements altogether,
      • Placing prospective teachers who do not meet requirements in classes while teaching. 
    • These changes are happening because of a troubling trend toward extreme teacher shortages, not only from teachers leaving the classroom but also from fewer going to school to become teachers. 
    • Some worry that these changes could potentially harm students because the teachers who will benefit from these changes will be underqualified. 
    • Most agree the solution is to better prepare prospective teachers with improved teacher preparation programs.

    Will, M. (2022, June 30). States relax teacher certification rules to combat shortages. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/states-relax-teacher-certification-rules-to-combat-shortages/2022/06
    ]]>     2022-09-26 14:14:03 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313737261     Slide #5- Current News Article aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313737661 Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
    • The U.S. Department of Education announced new awards to better prepare teachers long-term and address the ongoing teacher shortages.
    • U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the ability to "recruit, prepare, and retain" diverse educators was an urgent priority (Kyaw, 2022, para. 2).
    • The money awarded will support programs that provide relevant and evidence-based approaches to teacher preparation.
    • Hopefully, these programs will better prepare teachers to meet the challenges they face post-pandemic. This will, in turn, keep teachers from leaving the profession, which has been a concerning trend for the past two years. 

    Kyaw, A. (2022, September 27). Education department to award 22 grants for teacher shortage and support teacher pipeline and development programs. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. https://www.diverseeducation.com/leadership-policy/article/15297236/education-department-to-award-22-grants-for-teacher-shortage-and-support-teacher-pipeline-and-development-programs

    ]]>     2022-09-26 14:14:15 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313737661     Slide #6- Constitutional Law aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313739608 Federal Constitutional Law
    • The Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution (U.S. Const. amend. X) states that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states, including education.
    • The interpretation of this amendment means that laws regarding education and teacher certification are primarily created at the state and local levels. 

    https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-10/

    North Carolina Constitutional Law
    • According to Article IX, Section Five of the North Carolina Constitution (CITE), the State Board of Education has the authority to create all rules and regulations necessary to ensure the proper function of schools. 
    • This section indicates that the State Board can establish rules regulating which certifications teachers must meet to be hired and work with students. 

    https://www.ncleg.gov/Laws/Constitution/Article9
    ]]>     2022-09-26 14:15:13 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313739608     Slide #7- Statutory Law aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313740214 United States Code
    • U.S. Code 20, Section 6301, also known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (20 U.S.C. § 6301), requires that all teachers and paraprofessionals be certified in their teaching areas. 
    https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ95/PLAW-114publ95.pdf

    North Carolina General Statutes

    Educator Preparation Program Requirements
    • North Carolina General Statute 115C, Section 269.20 establishes the minimum content and pedagogy requirements that educator preparation programs must meet (N.C.G.S. § 115C-269.20). 
    • These requirements include training in the skills and responsibilities of a teacher, classroom management, literacy intervention, and identifying students with special needs.
    • For an educator preparation program to be approved or renewed, it must meet the minimum requirements outlined in the general statute.
    https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-269.20.pdf

    Educator Licensure Requirements
    • North Carolina General Statute 115C, Section 270.20 allows the State Board of Education to create rules and requirements that educators must meet to be issued a license (N.C.G.S. § 115C-270.20).
    • The statute also outlines the various levels of teacher licensure and the provisions to be met to be issued a license at that level.
    • Teachers who do not meet the requirements will legally not be allowed to receive a license. 
    • If the requirements are too strict, this could help perpetuate the teacher shortage. 
    https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-270.20.pdf
    ]]>     2022-09-26 14:15:32 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313740214     Slide #8- Administrative Law aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313740700 North Carolina Administrative Code
    • The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Educator Preparation Office outlines requirements for educator preparation programs (EPP) in addition to those listed in the general statutes. 
    • N.C. Administrative Code Title 16, Chapter 6, Section .0397 requires EPPs to provide instruction on classroom management, identifying and teaching diverse students, and all evidence-based practices outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act. 
    • Failure to adhere to these requirements can cause an EPP not to receive certification.
    http://reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac/title%2016%20-%20education/chapter%2006%20-%20elementary%20and%20secondary%20education/subchapter%20c/16%20ncac%2006c%20.0397.pdf
    ]]>     2022-09-26 14:15:46 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313740700     Slide #9- Judicial Law aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313741222 Judicial Law
    • The Supreme Court of North Carolina ruled in Leandro v. State, 488 S.E.2d 249 (1997), that North Carolina is responsible for ensuring that all students receive a sound and basic education. 
    • The case's main focus was on funding in the five poorest school districts, but it also requires schools to provide highly qualified and appropriately qualified teachers for all students.
    • This Supreme Court of North Carolina is currently deliberating this case again to decide whether the court has the authority to require the state to provide funds to lower-income districts. 
    https://law.justia.com/cases/north-carolina/supreme-court/1997/179pa96-0.html
    ]]>     2022-09-26 14:16:02 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313741222     Slide #10- Local Administrative Law aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313742011 Granville County School Board Policy
    • In accordance with N.C.G.S. § 115C-300.1, which requires all public schools to create a beginning teacher support program, the Granville County School Board enacted policy code 7130(c).
    • This policy creates a program that requires all teachers with less than three years of experience to attend orientation, work with a mentor, and complete several formal observations per year. 
    • I chose this policy because it shows how Granville County attempts to ensure new teachers are prepared to teach their students.
    Granville County School Board. (2022, July 22). Beginning teacher support program, Policy code 7130(c). https://boardpolicyonline.com/?b=granville

    N.C.G.S. § 115C-300.1 https://ncdpi.instructure.com/courses/4041/pages/policy-tced-016


    ]]>     2022-09-26 14:16:27 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313742011     Slide #11- Ethical Principle aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313743659 North Carolina Teacher Code of Ethics
    • In the Code of Ethics, teachers in North Carolina are required to be honest in regards to their qualifications to teach and when recommending promotion or licensure for a colleague (16 NCAC 6C § .0602(b) 3(a)(b)).
    • An ethical dilemma could arise with the current teacher shortage and the relaxing standards required to teach. 
      • It is vital that the schools check the qualifications of those applying to teach and that the candidates are open and honest when completing their application. 
    https://files.nc.gov/dpi/code-of-ethics.pdf
    ]]>     2022-09-26 14:17:13 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313743659     Slide #12- Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313744475
  • Having attended North Carolina Public Schools from 1989 to 2002, I was fortunate to be taught primarily by teachers who graduated from accredited educator preparation programs and taught in the same schools for most of their careers. I was afforded a high-quality education taught by an accredited teacher without the fear of not having a teacher in one of my classes. 
  • With growing teacher shortages across the country, most states are relaxing requirements for those wanting to teach. Those seeking alternative routes to teacher enrollment have increased by 114% in North Carolina since 2015 (North Carolina Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, 2022). I worry that we are doing our students a disservice by not holding those teaching our children to higher standards. Our goal should be to have the most qualified people in charge of our children's education, no matter the cost. 
  • As a future instructional coach, I will work with those teachers who have entered the profession through alternate routes. My goal will be to help them be as prepared as possible to handle the many duties of their jobs. I hope they will feel capable and want to stay in the profession for the duration of their career, so our students have stability in the classrooms. 
    • North Carolina Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (2022, August 8). Position Statement – Recommendations for NC Licensure Proposal. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ne8wurFMeLA45FJauh4gxI_ZR3WZbfGJ/view
    ]]>     2022-09-26 14:17:38 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313744475     Slide #13- Recommendations and Best Practices for Compliance aallen472 https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313745573
  • Stay up to date! It is essential to keep a repository of knowledge and resources at hand. Westmoreland (personal communication, September 25, 2022) recommends following topics related to teacher preparation on Twitter and experts on the subject on LinkedIn. These could be the first places you could learn about changes to policies related to teacher preparation. 
  • Build relationships first! Instructional coaches have no administrative authority, but they have influence with leadership and teachers, making them a powerful ally for both sides. When tough conversations need to be had, the relationship built will help you overcome any negativity. 
  • Know the laws! Understand the requirements of the Beginning Teacher Program (BTP) and other laws related to educator preparation. Ensure the professional development you provide will help the teachers meet the needs of the BTP.
  • Collaborate! Contact a local community college or university to understand what their educator preparation program is teaching. Include these topics in your professional development to ensure underqualified teachers are better prepared. 
  • Digital is not always better! Do not assume that just because something is digital, it is automatically "better"! Balance traditional instructional methods with digital and 21st-century frameworks for learning to create a blended learning environment.
  • Be organized! With more new teachers entering the profession, more will need to participate in the BTP. The instructional coach may be required to complete paperwork that needs to be turned in to the state to prove the teachers met their requirements. If a teacher fails to satisfy the requirements, they risk not receiving credit for their employment, which could result in repeating a year.

    • ]]>     2022-09-26 14:18:13 UTC https://padlet.com/aallen472/be00vjo0j2fdanag/wish/2313745573