The National Education Association has a new action agenda to help transform the teaching profession and accelerate student learning.

“NEA aims to ensure that every student has a qualified, caring and effective teacher,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “We will support a stronger profession of teaching, and I will put the full weight of our national organization behind this effort.”

The three major strategies that will guide these efforts are set forth in NEA’s Three-Point Plan for Education Reform. It incorporates best practices from thousands of leading teachers throughout the country and includes input from the Commission on Effective Teachers and Teaching.

The plan’s first step calls for raising the bar for preparation and admission into the teaching profession. NEA envisions future teacher candidates passing a classroom-based performance exam following a year-long residency under the tutelage of a Master Teacher before earning their teaching license.

The second step ensures that current educators maintain their high standard of practice. The plan focuses on teacher support by creating a new career path of opportunities. Accountability is provided through the creation of one hundred new Peer Assistance and Review programs over the next three years.

Thirdly, NEA will provide union leadership to support the profession’s transformation. NEA has committed to training 1,000 accomplished teachers for leadership roles in the profession. Additionally, NEA will train educators from all 50 states in educational leadership based on the innovative curriculum being developed by the NEA Foundation’s Institute on Innovation in Teaching and Learning.

“In order to prepare the coming generations of students, all teachers must be effective—period,” said Van Roekel. “Many local NEA affiliates are helping teachers and schools improve their performance—and raise student achievement—because teachers are taking responsibility for improving instruction, curriculum, and school performance. When great teachers become great leaders, students reap the benefits.”

Read more at http://bit.ly/NEA_EdReform.