A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

     FOR RELEASE                                       Contact: David Thomas      April 18, 1996                                             (202) 401-1579

As part of an ongoing effort to identify and honor excellence in education, the U.S. Education Department is collaborating with various professional organizations to establish the National Awards Program for Model Professional Development.

"All students should be faced with challenging academic standards," Riley said, "and that means teachers must be up to the task. Teaching is a very demanding profession, requiring mastery of subject matter, as well as superb organizational and communication skills. "Parents have every right to expect that their children will have fully prepared teachers -- and teachers should expect to receive first-rate, ongoing training. Today we're asking for nominations. Who is doing this essential job right? I look forward to honoring this critical work."

Riley said evidence of improved student learning and increased teacher effectiveness will be the most important criteria. In addition, Riley said applicants must show how their approach is consistent with the mission of professional development: "to prepare and support educators to help all students achieve to high standards of learning and development."

Applicants will also be expected to address Principles of Professional Development, which were developed through a public process to ensure that the department's efforts in professional development reflect the best available research and exemplary practice.

Principles of professional development are:

• focuses on teachers as central to student learning, yet includes all other members of the school community;

• focuses on individual, collegial, and organizational improvement;

• respects and nurtures the intellectual and leadership capacity of teachers, principals, and other in the school community;

• reflects best available research and practice in teaching, learning, and leadership;

• enables teachers to develop further expertise in subject content, teaching strategies, uses of technologies, and other essential elements in teaching to high standards;

• promotes continuous inquiry and improvement embedded in the daily life of schools;

• is planned collaboratively by those who will participate in and facilitate that development;

• requires substantial time and other resources;

• is driven by a coherent long-term plan; and

• is evaluated ultimately on the bases of its impact on teacher effectiveness and student learning; and this assessment guides subsequent professional development efforts.

Eligibility is open to public and private schools and districts where professional growth is an integral part of school culture and where the needs of all students are addressed.

Up to ten winners will be recognized in December at a Washington, D.C. ceremony.

Applications must be submitted by July 1, 1996. Contact Terry Dozier, special advisor on teaching, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202 to request an application.