The State of the K-12 Teaching Profession: Perennial Challenges and New Possibilities

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

The well-being of the K–12 teaching profession is foundational to the health of our multi-racial democracy. Yet, despite decades of reforms, the status of the profession in the United States has reached historic lows—threatening our ability to recruit and retain a diverse, high-quality teacher workforce. This session begins with a landscape analysis of the teaching profession, identifying three perennial challenges of the field: (1) championing quality and access in teacher education; (2) retaining and supporting a diverse, high-quality teacher workforce; and (3) developing shared measures and systems of accountability. Shifting from challenges to possibilities, panelists will then explore how each challenge can be addressed through policy and practice to build a more just and sustainable future for the teaching profession.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• Pamela L. Grossman, University of Pennsylvania

Presenters

• Pamela L. Grossman, University of Pennsylvania

• Maya Kaul, University of Pennsylvania

• Sarah Schneider Kavanagh, University of Pennsylvania

• Chandra L. Alston, Learning Policy Institute

• Travis J. Bristol, University of California - Berkeley

• Julie Jackson Cohen, University of Virginia

• Kathlene Holmes Campbell, National Center for Teacher Residencies

• Conra D. Gist, University of Houston

• Roddy Theobald, American Institutes for Research

Discussant

• Kent McGuire, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation