WPLLC > Policy Expertise > Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education > Teacher Quality

Teacher Quality

Researchers, educators and policy-makers agree: teacher quality is the most important ingredient in predicting student performance. Teacher quality issues permeate all other education debates - from early childhood programs through higher education; from special education to vocational education.

Recruitment, training and retention of teachers (from pre-K through university professors) is at the forefront of the political and policy discussions in the implementation and reauthorization of every major piece of education legislation including Head Start, the No Child Left Behind Act, the Higher Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act.

Washington Partners, LLC serves a number of clients whose primary interest is in professional preparation and professional development for teachers, including institutions of higher education that prepare educators, teacher educators and teachers associations for a range of disciplines. Because of WPLLC's involvement in all areas of teacher policy, the firm has a uniquely comprehensive and informed perspective related to the development and implementation of relative legislation.

Specific areas of WPLLC's expertise in teacher education policy include:

• Use of instructional practice that is grounded in scientifically-based research
• Shortage areas, particularly in the areas of special education, math and science
• Highly qualified teacher requirements
• Recruitment strategies, including loan forgiveness
• New teacher induction policy
• Teacher professional development