The number of students entering California’s schools is projected to increase, yet the number of individuals entering the teaching profession is declining. Many districts already struggle to maintain their capacity to attract, support, and retain fully prepared and effective teachers. Now, because the teacher development system has been so compromised, the gap between the teaching professionals districts need and those produced by the system is likely to grow.

Critical Elements Structure and Program

Components Implementation and Results Notable Strengths Continuing Challenges Implications for teachers,

students, and the greater community

Strong partnerships among colleges of education, school districts and communities

Progression through the program as part of a cohort

Apprenticeship alongside experienced and trained mentors

High quality professional development with emphasis on tightly aligning educational theory and clinical practice.

Student achievement data collected and monitored for continuous program improvement

Effective supported induction

Berry, B., Montgomery, C., Curtis, R., Hernandez, W., & Snyder, J. (2008. August). Creating and sustaining urban teacher residencies: A new way to recruit, prepare, and retain effective teachers in high-needs districts. The Aspen Institute / Center for Teaching Quality. Retrieved July 17, 2009 from http://www.teachingquality.org/legacy/AspenUTR.pdf.

Accelerated Collaborative TeacherResidency Program

ACT-R

The Management Team› Dr. Nancy Burstein and Dr. Sue Sears (Co-Directors,

CSUN)› Nancy Hymes, Full-time Advisor, detached service from

LAUSD› Phyllis Gudoski, PreK-12 Liaison› Anne Wilcoxen, Evaluator

Specialization Coordinators› Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Dr. Nancy Burstein› Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Dr. Kathy Peckham-Hardin› Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Dr. Ellen Schneiderman› Early Childhood Special Education, Dr. Deborah Chen

Language/Literacy Workgroup – Dr. Sue Sears Coordinator› College of Humanities (3 faculty members)› LAUSD (4 coordinators/teachers)› Management Team

Partnership with College of Humanities, Local District 2 in LAUSD, and Parent Pioneers

Cohort (MM, MS, DHH, ECSE) progresses through an 18-month credential/MA program

Two semester apprenticeship with selected mentor teachers in high need schools

Professional development for faculty, mentor teachers, and administrators with an emphasis on language and literacy (LL)

Ongoing collection of student achievement data in assigned classrooms and schools

Supported induction for graduates that includes mentoring and inquiry groups focusing on student achievement in LL

ACT Residency Program

Core Courses: Two courses completed by general and special education candidates that focus on foundational knowledge and skills for teachers serving diverse urban learners

Specialization Courses: Classes each semester that target appropriate specialization areas

Clinical Experience: One year apprenticeship completed in high need LAUSD schools with a trained and experienced special education mentor

MA: Advanced coursework culminating in a Graduate Project that focuses on language and literacy

23 ACT-R Residents Recruited › 15 mild/moderate disabilities› 3 in deaf and hard of hearing› 3 in early childhood special education› 2 in moderate/severe disabilities

LAUSD Mentor Teachers and Administrators › District 2 – 11 schools (5 elementary, 6

secondary)› District 3 – Marlton (DHH) PK-12

Partnership effort: CSUN COE and COH faculty, in collaboration with LAUSD administrators, specialists, and teachers, planned and participated in a Language and Literacy Institute and will support its follow-up activities

Emphasis on English learners with special needs: Institute sessions focused on the examination of issues related to language and language development, culture and family

Use of data to inform practice: Site-based teams wrote Action Plans designed to improve documented student outcomes in language and literacy for students with special needs

Development of a professional learning community: Residents, Local District 2 administrators, mentor teachers and families, and CSUN faculty working together to improve student achievement in Local District 2 schools

Challenges CST scores may not be sensitive to the

achievement gains of students functioning far below grade level.

IEP assessments vary greatly and data are not easily aggregated to document class outcomes

CSUN Plan Focus on ELA outcomes only Examine CST–ELA subtest scores for evidence

of growth in specific ELA domain areas Identify and track benchmark ELA assessments

appropriate for grade level and area of disability

ACT-Residency Program: Built on an existing model – Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Preparation Program

Provides financial support (unlike ACT), facilitating participation and preparation prior to becoming a teacher of record (unlike an alternative certification program)

Enhances the integration of coursework and clinical practices through school/university collaboration and professional development

Explicit emphasis on improving student achievement and a focus on language and literacy

Graduates hired to teach in collaborating school district

Provides seamless transition into teaching through induction support

Strong infrastructure that supports school/university collaboration

Effective mentor teachers that actively support the residency program

Administrators committed to transform organizational structures to promote collaboration and the integration of teacher learning with student learning

Reward structure in place for faculty and teachers to participate

Performance measures with accountability systems

External and long term funding sources – an expensive model

Strong infrastructure that supports school/university collaboration

Administrators committed to transform organizational structures

Developing exemplary models of clinical practice with effective mentor teachers

Reward structure in place for faculty and teachers to participate

Performance measures with accountability systems that examine student achievement

Sustaining funding sources and resources to institutionalize residency program

Cross institutional positions – border spanners

Selecting administrators committed to reform

Developing a cadre of mentor teachers who will participate in PD and the Virtual Community of Learners (VCL)

Support from high-level administrators with financial/professional incentives provided

Study impact on linkages between teacher preparation/induction and student achievement

Institutionalize positions and funding sources that provide continued support to candidates and teachers

Improved preparation of teachers for high need schools

Increased focus on developing teacher expertise in the area of language and literacy

Apprenticeship that contributes human resources in addressing the needs of students with disabilities

Teachers hired in partnership district who are highly qualified and well prepared to improve the achievement of students in high need schools