Yet another set of education reform proposals has been issued, this one from educators themselves. The “Iowa Council on Educator Quality” met privately yesterday, and endorsed a list of 13 recommendations, such as establishing better mentoring programs for rookie teachers. University of Northern Iowa College of Education Dean Thomas Switzer says teachers need to be able to deal with their own sense of competency before dealing with students. Dr. Switzer says there’s a shortage of principals and superintendents, and the state should find some way to encourage teachers to move into those leadership positions.The group also believes teachers should have longer contracts so they can spend more time focusing on how best to teach their students.Switzer and the other Iowa Council on Educator Quality members presented their ideas to Governor Vilsack yesterday in a meeting closed to the public.
