Develop a teacher working conditions survey – This tool will empower school district and site personnel to adequately assess the instructional culture in each school. “A teacher’s working conditions are a student’s learning conditions.”
Increase time during the student day – Teachers must have time to plan, collaborate, and learn in order to have a successful learning community.
Empower teachers and improve instructional quality through professional development – Teachers face a more diverse student population than ever before. Many of today’s students do not speak English fluently. Poverty presents great challenges and teachers need the skills and knowledge to ensure success for all.
Allow flexibility in school assignments – We must have teachers in all our schools – particularly in our highest needs schools – who have a desire and calling to work in challenging environments.
Institute a two-year teacher mentoring program – More than 35% of our newest teachers have come to teaching through alternative certification avenues and need support to better teach Oklahoma students. All new teachers must have quality professional mentoring in order to provide quality instruction and support to stay in teaching.
Create teacher charters – Teachers and groups that represent school employees should be empowered to open teacher-directed charter schools. We need to increase the ability of teachers and support professionals to have input into school-decision making. Let’s expand charters to provide alternative avenues to help deal with chronic classroom discipline issues. |