Quality Educators Are the Key

High-quality Teachers and Principals Are Essential

Every parent knows it, and now the studies are proving it.  The kids who achieve and succeed are the ones lucky enough to have the best teachers.  The formal studies show that having an excellent teacher is the single most important component of student achievement and success.

The studies also found something many parents don't know: get a bad teacher two years in a row, and most children will never catch up!

Anybody who works for a living knows that a crummy boss or administrator makes it hard to do a decent job.  So it's no surprise that a high-performing school needs a stable team of effective leaders too: principals, assistant principals, chiefs of staff and lead teachers.

What is the State Board of Education doing to recruit top talent and support good teachers and leaders?

For one thing we've stopped regulations that ignore qualified applicants and discharge proven performers (more...).  One of the things the State Board does is approve licensing and certification rules for teachers and administrators.  We're making it clear that the best regulations are the ones that don't get bogged down with needless formalities so schools can consider as many qualified applicants as possible -- and keep proven performers.

OK, what am I doing?

Listening.

That sounds corny, but it's the truth.

It takes time to build an institution.  We've had some excellent administrators and educators tackle the DC schools system.  We have spent phenomenal amounts of money on the DC school system.  Now it's time to admit that "quick fixes" have not worked and take advantage of an independent elected school board.  As I see it, the school board's role is to provide the stable, considered, environment within which our school system, like our students, can grow and thrive.

The new rules go into effect for the current hiring season.  So what I plan to do is keep listening to parents, educators, and the community -- anybody who can give us feedback and show us how to refine and build and education system that gives our kids every opportunity to succeed.

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