Statement by Barnett Berry on the 2010 MetLife Survey of the American Teacher

Statement by Barnett Berry, Founder and President, Center for Teaching Quality
For release: March 23,2011
CONTACT: Braden Welborn, CTQ bwelborn@teachingquality.org

The 2010 MetLife Survey of The American Teacher revealed that both teachers and business leaders think the  nation’s policymakers must invest in the teaching profession so all students can be college‐ready. Both call for more serious  investments in ensuring that teachers can cultivate communication skills, collaboration, problem solving, and critical thinking among the students they teach.

Where business executives and teachers differ is the question of where policymakers need to focus their attention. Business executives tend to focus on eliminating ineffective teachers and taking student achievement into account when assessing teachers. Most teachers surveyed do not oppose either of these two strategies, but do prioritize a different strategy: strengthening efforts to help teachers reach diverse learners with the highest needs. Teachers should know — they work with students and families every day.

The vast majority of teachers reported that they need more opportunities to learn from each other (i.e., collaborative teaching) and to be supported in using digital tools to personalize learning for their students. Teachers also seek better tools for assessing learning, and strategies for reaching English language learners. It is no accident that these particular improvements are directly relevant to the higherorder, cross‐disciplinary skills that both business executives and teachers deem so important to 21st‐century readiness.

Policymakers need to invest more in teacher education and professional development, not less.

At CTQ, we are proud of the support that MetLife Foundation provides us in advancing the vision of our recent book, TEACHING 2030: What We Must Do for Our Students and Our Public Schools… Now and in the Future. MetLife Foundation is a very valuable partner in our efforts to transcend the current 20th century debates over the profession and advance cuttingedge reforms that reflect the 21st century needs of students and their families — and the  teachers who serve them.

###
Barnett Berry is founder and president of the Center for Teaching Quality, based in North Carolina – a nonprofit that seeks to dramatically improve student achievement nationwide by cultivating teacher leadership, conducting timely research, and crafting smart policy. Barnett and twelve accomplished K-12 teachers co-authored TEACHING 2030: What We Must Do for Our Students and Our Public Schools... Now and in the Future. This provocative book steps outside the traditional battle lines of education reform. TEACHING 2030 employs teachers’ expertise to reimagine the ways in which schools can better serve American students and their communities. The book highlights innovative, research-based practices and strategies for improving schools. To learn more, visit www.teaching2030.org and view the 4-minute animated summary.