National Education Leaders Release Shared Vision for the Next Generation of Teaching During the 2012 Labor Management Conference

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined seven fellow national education leaders today in signing a shared vision for the future of the teaching profession during the opening 2012 Labor Management Conference in Cincinnati.

"Lessons and best practices from talented teachers is the driving force behind this shared vision for transforming the teaching profession," said Duncan. "The principles outlined in the document represent ways to strengthen and elevate teaching as one of our nation's most valued and respected professions."

In addition to Duncan, co-signers of the document include Labor Management Conference hosts: American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel, National School Boards Association Executive Director Anne L. Bryant, American Association of School Administrators Executive Director Daniel A. Domenech, Council of Chief State School Officers Executive Director Gene Wilhoit, Council of the Great City Schools Executive Director Michael Casserly, and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George Cohen.

The shared vision focuses on three main goals, which include ensuring all students are challenged to meet a high bar that prepares them for college, career, and citizenship; narrowing the opportunity and access gap between more and less privileged populations of students; and, preparing all students to be globally competitive. Seven core principles make up the elements of achieving these goals. They include-

• A culture of shared responsibility and leadership;
• Recruiting top talent into schools prepared for success;
• Continuous growth and professional development;
• Effective teachers and principals;
• A professional career continuum with competitive compensation;
• Conditions that support successful teaching and learning; and
• Engaged communities

U.S. education leaders developed the shared vision following the 2012 International Summit on the Teaching Profession held in New York City in March. The event gathered teachers, union leaders, and education ministers from 23 high performing and rapidly improving countries and regions to share ideas and best practices for elevating teaching and improving student performance.

The 2012 Labor Management Conference brings together state and district teams nationwide to spotlight local work around the next generation of great teaching. Over a dozen state and district presenters showcased their work, which includes elements illustrated in the vision document such as collaborative working environments, career ladders, differentiated compensation, college and career ready standards, and community engagement to support classroom instruction. The over 100 state and district leaders from 41 states attending this week's conference are encouraged to engage in similar efforts to support their teachers after they return home.