National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk

NEWS from NDTAC

July 12, 2005

Dear Colleagues:

As a follow-up to our latest Webinar on Teacher Quality and Accreditation, the National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for Neglected and Delinquent Youth (NDTAC) is pleased to announce the addition of new materials to our Web site, www.neglected-delinquent.org, which focus on how Teacher Quality requirements affect juvenile justice educators. These additions include:

Spotlight on Teacher Quality: We feature NDTAC's Self-Study Module on Highly Qualified Teachers, which provides information about teacher quality resources and ways to determine how your facility is doing in terms of staffing highly qualified teachers. » more

In addition, NDTAC's newest Reading List features a report that shows the existing gaps in current teacher qualifications and offers initiatives leaders can use to address such gaps. We've also added new materials, including strategies, models, and innovations relating to teacher quality, USED Guidance on Teacher Quality, and other professional development resources to the Teacher Quality & Professional Development section of our Topic Library.

Events: The presentations and recording of NDTAC's latest Webinar, "Teacher Quality and Accreditation" are available in their entirety from the Events page. Presenters, including Dr. Arlene Chorney, Principal of the Education Component for the Rhode Island Training School; Dr. John Stewart, Superintendent of Education for the Alabama Department of Youth Services; and Mr. Jack Catrett, Special Education Director for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, discussed the issues surrounding teacher certification for professionals teaching in the juvenile justice system. The presenters also discussed how the Highly Qualified Teacher provisions under No Child Left Behind may or may not be applied.

Call for Help: We at NDTAC are very interested in helping States and facilities meet the Federal Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) requirements and ensure that their students are taught by high quality and highly qualified teachers. To this end, we are conducting an HQT study to gain an increased understanding of how the Federal HQT requirements are impacting teachers in neglected and delinquent programs around the country. The ultimate goal of this study is to add to the knowledge base regarding highly qualified teachers and populations who are neglected or delinquent, and assist States in ensuring their HQT requirements allow their N or D teachers to best meet the needs of their students. We are asking for your help as we initiate this study. For information on how you can help, read the Call for Help on our Web site, or contact Regina Waugh, rwaugh@air.org.

Want to see something else on NDTAC's Web site? Let us know! Send comments, questions, and requests to Pablo De la Huerta at pdelahuerta@air.org. Also, help spread the word about NDTAC and www.neglected-delinquent.org by forwarding this message, recommending our listserv, or by linking to the site.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Joyce Burrell, Project Director
National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for Neglected and Delinquent Youth (NDTAC)