Teaching and Professional Learning

Schools and districts need to manage human capital as part of an educational improvement strategy that takes seriously the practical challenges of raising all students to higher levels of proficiency.

3. Upgrade human capital management throughout US schools and school systems toward ensuring an effective teacher for every student, regardless of socio-economic background

By the federal government, states, and school districts

• Make higher science and math achievement the overarching goal for system improvement; structure specific improvement strategies to meet that goal

• Experiment with strategies to improve job satisfaction of effective teachers of science and math at all grade levels

• Raise compensation strategically to attract, retain, and reward effective science and math teachers; compare different methods

• Develop data systems that enable meaningful teacher assessment on student achievement

• Identify and promote leadership opportunities (such as positions as coaches and mentors) for teachers with demonstrated effectiveness in raising student achievement in mathematics and science

• Give effective teachers a more prominent voice in education policy development

By colleges and universities

• Increase and improve connections with school districts and schools to follow the experiences of graduates who are teaching and to determine what resources and tools universities might provide that would support teachers, enrich science and math learning, and raise teacher effectiveness

• Upgrade the effectiveness of teacher preparation programs by tracking achievement data for students taught by program graduates By businesses, nonprofit organizations, unions, and other partners

• Develop new programs to assist schools and districts improve management systems and teacher working conditions

By philanthropy

• Support research on the human capital management needs of schools and school systems, especially related to science and math