Coming Up: Two Teleconferences From the DOE

Two teleconferences are coming up: one on "preparing teachers to involve families" and one on "supporting quality teachers."

PARTNERS FOR LEARNING: PREPARING TEACHERS TO INVOLVE PARENTS

On November 5, Vice President Gore will join Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley for "Partners for Learning: Preparing Teachers to Involve Families," a two-hour discussion on how families, schools, colleges, and communities can more effectively work together. Model programs and practices that offer teachers in-service (and pre-service) help in creating meaningful links with families will be featured. These programs include:

A comprehensive in-service program with strong links to the local community and schools (Rutgers University, Center for Family Involvement in Schools, New Jersey).
A model pre-service program that integrates parent involvement across the curriculum (Marian College, Indianapolis, Indiana).
An innovative program for student teachers that features "teaming," home visits and more (Parent Power, California State University-Fresno).
A Parent Information Center working with a local college to provide pre-service training with a special focus on parents of children with disabilities (Pacer Center, Hamlin College, Minneapolis, Minnesota).
A state-by-state partnership between the nation's largest parent organization and the lead association of colleges of education to better promote teacher preparation in family involvement (PTA/AACTE, Florida).
A long-standing partnership with Teachers College, Columbia University, where parent involvement is an integral part of the life of the entire school (PS 87, New York City, New York).

Also during the show, a new publication that offers research-based ideas for developing programs that prepare teachers for family involvement will be announced: "New Skills for New Schools."

This free teleconference airs Wednesday, November 5, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. EST.

SUPPORTING QUALITY TEACHERS:
A TALENTED TEACHER IN EVERY CLASSROOM

The November Satellite Town Meeting -- on November 18 -- focuses on "Supporting Quality Teachers: A Talented Teacher in Every Classroom." Secretary Riley and his guests will explore model programs that address the following questions:

What is our community doing to ensure that high-quality teachers are recruited into the profession?
Are new teachers in our community well-prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary to help all students reach high standards?
What are our schools doing to support beginning teachers?
What are we doing to encourage and reward good teaching?

The program will be broadcast Tuesday, November 18, from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. EST.

A WORD ABOUT SATELLITE TOWN MEETINGS

Across the country, partnerships of concerned citizens -- parents, teachers, college leaders, child-care providers, business people, community leaders, and others -- have come together to improve their local schools and help children learn more. One way these hundreds of communities are sharing ideas and keeping up-to-date with the latest information is through a unique service from the U.S. Department of Education: the Satellite Town Meeting.

On the third Tuesday of each month during the school year, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley hosts the Satellite Town Meeting, a free, live, interactive teleconference about community efforts to improve teaching and learning. This is your opportunity to ask a question of the Secretary and his guests -- drawn from communities like yours -- on what works in schools and communities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the Satellite Town Meeting (including the answers to such questions as What is it?, Who participates?, What do we talk about?, How does the community benefit?, and How can we take part?, see the Satellite Town Meeting Web Site or call 1-800-USA-LEARN.

(Source: Peter Kickbush, U.S. Department of Education)

11/03/1997