What Are Your Good Teacher Priorities? Report | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News

December 06, 2011 10:53:12 AM

Recruiting and Screening For Top Talent:

Good Training for Teachers Entering the System:

Small Class Size:

Hold Teachers Accountable Through Test Results:

What else goes into recruiting, evaluating, and retaining great teachers?:

While we may all want great teachers for our children, I am not sure that it is necessary for a good education. I am a product of the NY city public schools and I never had a "great" teacher. Yet I went on to CUNY and then graduated from the Columbia School of Social Work. Of course I wished I had "great teachers", but I don't think this is the problem in NYC. IF WE LOOK AT POVERTY AND LINK IT TO CHILDREN NOT AT THE LEVEL THEY SHOULD BE AT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BEGIN TO ADDRESS THE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS THESE STUDENTS ENCOUNTER. GREAT TEACHERS ALONE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO MAKE A MARKED DIFFERENCE. WE NEED A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO HELP THE MOST NEEDY CHILDREN.

When it comes to getting the best teachers possible into the system, what are your priorities? Rank the approaches below from 1-5, with 1 being your highest priority.