Episode 13 - The Power of Oversight on Policy & Education w/ Kate Walsh
Episode Summary
Kate Walsh, President of the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), shares the organization’s goal to promote teacher effectiveness for every child, in every classroom. Walsh outlines NCTQ’s areas of focus such as setting greater oversight and transparency in policy and institutions. With a deep investment in the implementation of evidence-based reading instruction in schools, Walsh and the NCTQ launched the first review and rankings of teacher preparation programs in the United States. Walsh describes the analysis process, calling for increased transparency and advocacy in preparing educators to teach reading. Finally, Walsh discusses literacy within the framework of social justice. A true disruptor and advocate for children, Walsh remains committed to achieving better educational opportunities for teachers and students.
Top READ Bookmarks
Each episode, host Danielle Scorrano identifies key takeaways or “READ bookmarks.”
1. Since 2013, the NCTQ has conducted the first-ever rating and review of teacher preparation programs in reading across the United States. Read more about the findings: National Council on Teacher Quality Teacher Prep Review on Early Reading.
“When you look at what the research says [about reading instruction], it is so conclusive and actually optimistic in terms of how we can reduce the rate of reading failure in the U.S. that you wonder why anybody would choose not to use these methods.”
2. Findings from the NCTQ’s analysis of teacher preparation programs indicate that many teacher educators and professors cover phonics in their courses but there are inadequacies in phonemic awareness and fluency across courses.
3. While the NCTQ’s evaluation of teacher prep programs has been a process, it has ultimately been effective in shedding to light the areas in which these institutions can do better to prepare educators to reach reading.
“Ratings work… there have been so many efforts to fix teacher preparation over the years… [and] they have all failed.”
4. Literacy is a social justice issue. Through policy, institutional change, and socio-political movements, we need to address how we fundamentally provide high-quality reading education to students across all classrooms.
“If you don’t know how to read, then you’re shut out of just about all learning.”
Resources:
The NCTQ's Review of Early Reading "Case Closed" - Kate Walsh's Blog
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READ Podcast is produced by The Windward School and The Windward Institute. READ is hosted by Danielle Scorrano.
About READ: READ, the Research Education ADvocacy Podcast connects you with prominent researchers, thought leaders, and educators who share their work, insights, and expertise about current research and best practices in fields of education and child development.
Note: All information and insights shared demonstrate the expertise and views of our guests.