Strategies to Recruit, Reward and Retain Teachers

The Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee of the National Governors Association held a forum on “Strategies to Recruit, Reward and Retain Teachers.”

Deputy Secretary Simon addressed federal involvement in education and spoke about the goals of the No Child Left Behind program and how they would be achieved with quality teachers. He answered questions from members of the committee about issues such as the flexibility allowed to states to determine teacher qualifications, funding, community college access, special education teachers, and alternative teaching standards. The panel on state and local efforts included Mr. Milken who spoke about a structure for attracting and retaining the highest quality teachers. The Teachers of the Year for Kansas and Minnesota spoke about qualities besides mastery of subject matter necessary to being a great teacher such as involvement with the school and interest in the students. They responded to questions from the members of the committee. close