Public-, private-college officials support metrics

Staff report

columbus

Representatives from Ohio’s public and private colleges joined Chancellor Eric Fingerhut on a statewide press call today to announce their support of the new Ohio Educator Preparation Metrics.

The metrics will form the basis of authorization of colleges in the state to graduate prospective Ohio teachers. The statewide agreement on these measurements is the first of its kind nationwide.

“To prepare students who can be successful in college, we need educators who can teach the skills and knowledge needed in the 21st century,” Fingerhut said. “The framework announced today will help ensure Ohio’s dedicated colleges of teacher education meet that high standard.”

The criteria include placement of graduates in hard-to-staff Ohio school districts, a high-quality student-teaching experience with an effective mentor, the teacher’s ability to demonstrate student growth as measured by the Battelle for Kids Value-Added Growth System and Ohio’s new Teacher Performance Assessment.

In particular, the Teacher Performance Assessment will measure the beginning teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with parents, structure lessons and manage a classroom.

“State University Education Deans supports the development of statewide metrics, holding all educator preparation programs who wish to operate in the state of Ohio to standards that will ensure quality, accountability and continuous improvement,” said Ren e A. Middleton, chairwoman of SUED. “There is a commitment on behalf of the Board of Regents to ensure that the metrics are applied fairly, uniformly and with transparency. Ohio has a system of education that includes both public and private institutions of higher education who have worked with the state to embrace a statewide and national agenda for reforming education.”

The metrics align with statewide goals of education reform and national accreditation initiatives, Middleton said.

The creation of annual performance reports on teacher education colleges was required for public institutions under House Bill 1 of the 128th General Assembly.