What is teacher quality?

A review research article, published in a November 2001 NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) Bulletin, distinguishes between teacher quality (what teachers bring into the system) and teaching quality (what they do). The first concept addresses preparation, and the second focuses on classroom activity. There is a third area, which might be called teaching longevity. This encompasses concerns related to long term retention, motivation and professional development.

This information site provides an overview and critical links to resources which may, in turn, lead the educator to find other resources (which may not be available on the Web). We have divided the Table of Contents into these three sections, to reflect the issues. An additional section, Resources, contains links to additional useful documentation. We have also selected, as far as possible, primary research (or a review of research), or policy articles. In order to make it easier to select readings, we have labeled resources as research (R), or as other kinds of documentation such as news (N), association or organization information (I), or policy or white papers (W).

If you know of additional resources to add to this site, please e-mail us with the information.

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