Virginia Department of Education’s Post

The traditional higher education model is partly to blame for the teacher shortage... but district complacency is equally at fault. Districts need to do a better job pressuring higher-ed programs to meet aspiring teachers where they are. Many paraprofessionals and classified staff working full-time in our schools today want to be certified teachers. However, traditional teaching programs have prohibitive cost and time requirements. These systemic barriers lock thousands of marginalized members of our communities from pursuing the teaching profession. Districts have a powerful role to play in reimagining how we train teachers and how higher ed institutions will engage in this work. Some districts are already stepping up. They’re moving toward an employer-delivered model of education. It means paraprofessionals and classified staff can earn their teaching degrees on the job, without the traditional or online, nights and weekends courses. It’s a more effective and equitable way for districts to grow their teaching force. The teacher shortage is only getting worse, and it will soon start to derail the opportunities for millions of students to get the education they deserve. Districts cannot settle for traditional teaching programs that deliver too few teachers and lock too many potential great ones out. We know higher education can make teacher education programs far more accessible, but they won’t go far enough until districts demand it.

Take a moment to read through the blog written by Nancy. What are your thoughts about policy and education? https://ow.ly/IAbz50Qpn3q

"Outside influence is trying to make you believe that our public education systems are irrevocably broken; however, as with all systems, the key to success is through constant updates and revisions." An excellent piece by fellow National Assessment Governing Board member and school superintendent, Shari Camhi. There is nothing better than education experts sharing their knowledge, experience, and hard-earned wisdom on the state of education. Theirs are the opinions that matter. Well-done, Shari! https://lnkd.in/gWnRhxeY

Public trust is a critical component of any democracy. However, recent studies suggest that public trust in higher education institutions has been declining. Let's delve into the reasons behind this trend and find out how we can restore public trust in higher education, Sign up and read for free --

The reason I've been so passionate about equitable access to Higher Education in the past is because I saw firsthand just how much the quality of education can range between schools. Around 10 years ago (!) I made the decision to accept a scholarship and bursary to attend one of the best independent schools in Wales for sixth form. Coming from one of the worst performing state comprehensives, the difference was night and day. Smaller classes, international trips, access to so many resources and extra-curricular activities... The list goes on. But all of these resulted in a lot of confidence, perhaps even entitlement, which carries a lot of weight in interviews. So when interviews are such a big part of education and employment, you see how things can spiral from there. All of this is to say, we shouldn't have a three tier education system. That is private schools, grammar and state-selective schools, and then non-selective state comprehensives. We need to disincentivise the structural differences where we can. And no, I'm not pulling the ladder up. I just don't think those ladders should only be for a handful of lucky people who are then used as shining minorities. Less ladders, more steps and ramps that everyone can use with the right support.

Are you looking to pivot to a career in Education? Not sure where to start or what action steps to take. Then look no further, the NYC Teaching Collaborative has an information session this Monday at 6 pm. During this free event, you will discover the necessary steps to start your career and become a teacher. The link to sign up for the session is in the comments. #education #teacherstraining #nycteachingcollaborative #careerdevelopment #careerchange

Happy Monday! Here are this week's three things you need to know about higher education happenings in Washington: ⭐Senator Bill Cassidy Releases New Proposals to Modernize NIH U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, (R-LA), released a white paper proposing improvements to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The proposals include streamlining peer review processes and bolstering the biomedical workforce. Additionally, the paper calls for the reestablishment of the Scientific Management Review Board and improved oversight of extramural grants. Link: https://lnkd.in/eBQjnkYQ ⭐New ADA Rules Look to Ensure Accessibility of Online Material at Public Higher Education Institutions In late April, the U.S. Department of Justice released new updates to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requiring a comprehensive review of digital materials. The new rule requires all online content to be accessible for those with vision, hearing, cognitive, and manual dexterity disabilities. Universities must also ensure accessibility of PDFs for academic articles assigned to students by professors. Changes must be implemented by June 24, 2024. Link: https://lnkd.in/ejiSzPnC ⭐Bipartisan Committee Leaders in Senate and House Raise Concerns Over Rollout of Next Year’s FAFSA Congressional leaders are urging the U.S. Department of Education to prioritize the timely rollout of the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, citing concerns over delays and decreased application rates in the current cycle. Specifically, the lawmakers expressed concerns that the Department of Education has not published the draft FAFSA for 2025-2026 for comment, which is normally done in February or March. Link: https://lnkd.in/eNgQsX24 Want more details about what's happening at the federal level? Sign up for Washington Insights and Highlights, CGS's newsletter on all things policy: https://bit.ly/3J1EV4f

As a small university deeply integrated into the educational landscape of California—a state in which we do not participate in SARA—we are acutely aware of the challenges and complexities involved in enrolling out-of-state students in online programs. The proposed policy changes by the Biden administration concerning the current reciprocity agreements in higher education are of significant concern for others who participate in SARA. These agreements currently play a crucial role in enabling colleges to bypass some of the laws in the states where their students are located, facilitating broader access to online education. We recognize the importance of staying informed about these policy changes and their potential effects on the future of higher education. #HigherEducation #PolicyChanges #CollegeEnrollment

So true with many of the opinions and decisions related to public education.

IEEs, or Independent Education Evaluations, are assessments conducted by professionals not employed by the school district. Learn about when, why, and how to request one here: