National Collaboration

There are a number of initiatives taking place in teacher education that are inspiring expanded collaboration between colleges and universities. These networks are somewhat different from the traditional professional organizations that have long been instrumental in providing forums for content areas such as the International Reading Association and the Association of Teacher Educators. These more inclusive organizations are centered on overall issues related to the future of teacher education. The players in these groups come from diverse arenas with a common vision. The common ground lies in preparing for what many are predicting to be a crisis in public education due to a severe teacher shortage. Solving this shortage and creating not only a sizable workforce, but also a quality workforce is the common need that is bringing so many groups together. Teacher educators and state departments of education are resisting short-term solutions being mandated to place a "warm body" in schools through fast track and alternative certification methods.

Colleges, school districts, and community organizations are creating networks to address regional shortages. State Education Agencies are becoming more and more proactive in establishing teacher recruitment centers and are pursuing federal money to support initiatives to influence legislation, share resources, and support the recruitment and retention of quality teachers.

Some of the more vocal groups, such as the Holmes Partnership and National Education Renewal are developing research agendas and legislative action plans that will help guide the policy makers nationwide. The Professional Development Schools, inspired by John Goodlad, have redesigned the clinical aspects of student teaching and also, pre-k through 12 schools and universities share leadership and responsibility for the instruction and mentoring of new teachers.

The University of South Carolina's College of Education Professional Development network is going beyond philosophical and political networking. A Title II Teacher Quality Partners federal project has inspired collaboration between four teacher education institutions within South Carolina and a number of other colleges and universities in other areas of the country.
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Click on each of the pictures below to find out more about our collaboration activities with
Montclair State University and Madison Metropolitan School District.