Changes in the Era of Reform1983-Present
 Our students
 Our teachers
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
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Who are our teachers today?
What do they feel are the answers to school reform?
What are their challenges?
What does research and experience tell us we should
do?
 How can education foundations maximize impact?
Who are our students
today?
Our Children 5-17 Years Old
Race / Ethnicity
1980- (47,232)
2012- (53,729)
White
74.6 %
53.8%
Black
14.5%
13.9%
Hispanic
8.5%
23.2%
Asian
1.7%
4.5%
Pacific Islander
-
.02%
Am Indian/AK Native
.08
.09%
2 plus races
-
3.6%
Poverty Level for 5-17 Year
Olds
1990
2012
US
17%
21%
Connecticut
9.8%
13.9%
Who are the students in the
pipeline ?
Our Children Under 5 years
Old
Race / Ethnicity
1980- (16,451 M)
2012- (19,999-M)
White
72.4 %
50.1%
Black
14.7%
13.8%
Hispanic
10.2%
25.8%
Asian
1.9%
4.6%
Pacific Islander
-
.9%
Am Indian/AK Native
.08
.09%
2 plus races
-
4.6%
Who are our teachers?
Our Teachers 1986 to 2011
1980- (2.2M)
2012- (3.4-M)
< 29 years old
< 5 years of teaching
11 %
8%
21.1%
26%
Female
69%
84%
White
91%
84%
Black
6%
7%
Hispanic
2%
6%
Teacher Preparation and
Beliefs
 How has teacher preparation changed ?
 What do today’s teachers believe and how have
those beliefs changed/stayed the same ?
 Are today’s teachers satisfied ?
 What does message do many reform efforts tell
them ?
 What is within their control ?
 What does research tell us we need to do to
enhance satisfaction and reduce job stress ?
Sources of Job Burnout
Societal
Organizational
Burnout
Personal
Role related
Social Support Network
Listener
Shared
Sense of
Reality
Emotional
Challenge
Person
Emotional
Support
Technical
Support
Technical
Challenge
How can foundations make
the most impact ?
 Education Foundations give us flexibility and the
chance to be creative
 You are above the politics of education
 You can fund things that really matter but some may
think are “frills”
 You know the players and you know the context of the
community
 You can do important things at bargain levels, more
efficiently and effectively
My suggestions
 Todays teacher’s are more complex than ever before
 One size does not fit all
 Teachers today and in the future will be working
with students from diverse backgrounds
 Support innovative programs and experiences that
help faculty address the unique learning needs of their
students
 Support programs that enhance family and community
engagement in schools “Beyond Bake Sales”
Suggestions
 Support collaborative learning efforts
 Focus on teachers but don’t forget leaders (especially
building level)
 Invest in professional development outside the school
day that brings teachers and administrators together
 Invest in team building and culture building activities
 Invest in professional development that emphasizes
experiential learning- takes in understanding teacher all
learn differently
 Fund travel to visit successful schools, international
cultural awareness programs, summer institutes
Fund Materials
 Do what you can to help low income children bridge
the technology gap
 That make the common core come alive
 Think ahead to prevent problems that hurt the roll
out of new programs
 For example- the new science standards are around the
corner (Next Generation Science Standards)
Be the voice
 That supports teachers
 Supports leadership in your schools
 Supports community and parental engagement in
your school
 And supports the education of all of our students –
today’s and tomorrows