State plans create more losers than winners, and many get nothing at all. States and school districts spend more than $50 billion each year on teacher pensions, the keystone in teacher compensation packages. In theory, they provide a generous and secure pot of gold at the end of a teacher’s career, which serves as an…

Opens New Route to Teacher Certification in Florida July 27, 2016 Teachers of Tomorrow announced that its educator preparation program has now been fully approved as a route to teacher certification by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Commission for Independent Education.  The new program, Florida Teachers of Tomorrow ("Florida Teachers") will immediately…

What matters in schools is teachers. Fortunately, teaching can be taught. The Economist June 11, 2016 FORGET smart uniforms and small classes. The secret to stellar grades and thriving students is teachers. One American study found that in a single year’s teaching the top 10% of teachers impart three times as much learning to their…

Two national education groups are backing a California bill meant to improve the state's layoff, tenure and dismissal processes.

Malpractice or Just Bad Policy? The Connecticut Legislature’s Abandon of Sound Educational Practice Policy Perspective May 2016 This week the General Assembly is poised to enact a bill that would disconnect all objective assessments from teacher evaluations, and by extension would remove the transparency that otherwise allows schools, leaders and the public to understand whether…

We're brought up to believe our teachers are modern-day saints. Just look at how we portray them in the movies and on TV.

While the traditional teachers union would have the public believe that all teachers share the union's views, teachers are becoming increasingly dissatisfied by having to join a group that does not always align with one's individual and personal beliefs, particularly when it comes to workplace decisions and reform. Results from the Association of American Educators'…

Research, data, and personal anecdotes on teacher freedom show teachers are interested in initiatives that advance their careers and explore innovative pay raises.

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) recently released a report that identifies teacher preparation programs as one of the least rigorous majors at universities. According to the results, teacher preparation programs distribute the highest grades due to lower academic standards. Data from university commencement brochures found that at 58% of 509 colleges, teacher preparation programs were…

PublicSchoolOptions.org is hosting its 5th annual American Pioneer of Teaching Award contest to recognize outstanding teachers in non-traditional schools. This award acknowledges top teachers who are pioneers in the field. These teachers take their craft seriously, and engage in innovative ways to reach their students and make a difference in their lives. Their passion and…