The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is getting recognition this week from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for its pioneering efforts in supporting aspiring teachers as they complete their clinical practice experiences, also known as student teaching. The Utah case study, featured in NCTQ’s new Clinical Practice Action Guide, details how the state addressed financial barriers to student teaching that were keeping many aspiring teachers out of the profession.
Earlier this year, the state passed HB 221 with unanimous support, offering $6,000 stipends for aspiring teachers completing their student teaching experience. The legislation provides a one-time fund of $8.4 million as a three-year pilot test, with the potential for the funding to be renewed in the future. The application process has opened for student teachers in Utah, and USBE has already seen great interest in the program.
“We have 433 applicants currently and couldn’t be more excited about it. This number is a testament to the strong level of interest in pursuing a career in education in Utah and USBE is working hard to remove barriers to help those future teachers,” said Deputy Superintendent of Student Achievement Patty Norman.
Across the country, many new teachers are unprepared for the realities of the classroom because they haven’t had enough of the high-quality, hands-on practice that helps prepare them to best engage their students in learning. Additionally, stronger clinical practice partnerships between school districts and teacher prep programs can address the hiring challenges many districts face by creating a pipeline of teachers who have experience in the types of districts where they will eventually teach, which increases their efficacy and likelihood of staying in the classroom.
Without quality student teaching experiences, new teachers are often left to learn on the job. Research shows that providing aspiring teachers with clinical experiences under an effective mentor can give a first-year teacher the boost they need to be as effective as a teacher in their second or third year, which is a huge win for students.
“Utah is an excellent example of a state enhancing teacher quality by helping more aspiring teachers get a great clinical practice experience,” said NCTQ President Heather Peske. “As a national leader on this front, Utah is strengthening the teacher pipeline and laying the foundation for more effective teachers and better outcomes for students across the state.”
See the Clinical Practice Action Guide for more information about Utah’s work on clinical practice, and to see other ways states, teacher prep programs, and school districts can strengthen the student teaching experience for aspiring teachers.
The National Council on Teacher Quality is a nonpartisan research and policy organization on a mission to ensure every child has access to an effective teacher and every teacher has the opportunity to be effective. We believe a strong, diverse teacher workforce is critical for providing all students with equitable educational opportunities. For more information about NCTQ, visit www.nctq.org.
