Decisions Driven by Evidence, Engagement with the Arts &
Sciences, and Teaching as an Academically Taught Clinical Practice
Profession are the three design principles driving the Teachers
for a New Era project. The program’s curriculum will be
evaluated by staff to determine its effectiveness, and changes
will be made only in response to research. Eventually, the programs
will be required to demonstrate pupil learning gains of those
students entrusted to the care of graduates. The proposal also
seeks to improve preservice teachers’ general and subject
matter backgrounds by working more closely with each school’s
college of liberal arts and sciences. The ultimate goal of this
endeavor is to produce well rounded and competent teachers that
are capable of deeply enriching students’ knowledge across
content areas. Additionally, the project prepares teaching candidates
for professional growth upon entering the field. The project requires
that institutions will integrate technology, consider cultural
diversity, recruit underrepresented ethnic groups into the field
of education, and encourage teacher candidates who decide to enter
the program at a later point. In regards to successful innovations,
selected institutions will be required to disseminate information
and encourage other institutions to follow their lead. An external
evaluator will judge the success and conduct of the program.
