Posted at: 11/15/2009 12:16 PM | WHEC.com

Teaching improvements considered in NY

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The state Board of Regents is considering innovations to improve teaching.

The policy-making board will consider new requirements for incoming teachers to demonstrate knowledge of a subject and classroom skills that can be linked to effective instruction.

In addition to performance-based assessments for new teachers, the board will consider assessments for teachers who are two years in the job. It could also take longer for teachers to earn a master's degree.

The board is considering a pilot program of alternatives to colleges for training future teachers. The new options could include museums and cultural institutions.

Regents also want to draw more teachers now employed in the sciences and increase the ranks of highly skilled teachers in poor urban districts, where fewer work.

"Nothing makes more difference than an outstanding teacher," David Steiner said when he was named state education commissioner. He is the former dean of Hunter College School of Education at the City University of New York.

The proposals were set to be presented at noon Monday and appear to have taken the powerful New York State United Teachers union by surprise.

"We've had some very broad conversations," said union Vice President Maria Neira. "We share the commissioner's view of improving the already high level of teaching in New York state."

The union has often been an early partner in other state Education Department initiatives.

"My concern is that we not look at just one focus point - teacher preparation - and forget about all the other needs of high-needs schools," she said. The other areas of concern are funding, support for teachers and safety, she said.

"It has to be part of a comprehensive vision," Neira said. "I see it as an initial document."