New York — As students head back to school this fall, the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center, along with the National Writing Project and Youth Communication, has compiled an exciting new report that helps answer a critical question on school reform: What makes a great teacher? Student Voices: What Makes a Great Teacher? gives students the opportunity to be a part of the national dialogue on education and to provide input on what it takes for teachers to be effective in the classroom.
The report contains five thoughtful essays by a diverse groups of students about teaching strategies that worked for them and an illustrated poster that summarizes 10 practices that students think are most important for effective teaching. The key practices include: push us, believe in us, be consistent and firm, have clear objectives, and make the lessons relevant to our lives. The report also includes helpful excerpts from a group discussion about teacher quality among high school students who write for YCteen magazine.
“Every opportunity we have to hear directly from students is an opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t, where we have to improve and where we are doing a great job,” said Gaston Caperton, College Board president. “I’m so grateful for every student that participated in this project, and I hope that we — the adults — can translate their words into action.”
“The students in this report provide clear advice to all adults committed to the education of young people,” said Sharon J. Washington, executive director of the National Writing Project. “Effective teaching begins with an understanding of how students learn best and why teaching matters. I so appreciate the ideas and insights these students bring to the education reform conversation.”
“The teen writers give many specific examples of teacher practices that helped or hurt their learning. Every teacher, from a first year novice to a wily veteran, can learn something from reading their stories. I know I did,” said Keith Hefner, executive director of Youth Communication, and an educator for more than 30 years.
PLEASE CONTACT:
Carly Lindauer, The College Board, 212-713-8052,
communications@collegeboard.org
The College Board Advocacy & Policy Center was established to help transform education in America. Guided by the College Board’s principles of excellence and equity in education, the Center works to ensure that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed in college and beyond. Critical connections between policy, research and real-world practice are made to develop innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in education today. Drawing from the experience of the College Board’s active membership consisting of education professionals from more than 5,900 institutions, priorities include: College Preparation & Access, College Affordability & Financial Aid, and College Admission & Completion.