Teacher Work Samples: Emerging Best Practices

A Conference on the Oregon Coast
Salishan Lodge and Golf Resort
Gleneden Beach

July 21- 23, 2004

A summer conference hosted by Western Oregon University and co-sponsored by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and in cooperation with the Education Commission of the States (ECS).

The aim of the conference was to help identify and document advances made in both the use and the validation of the methodology to assess teacher performance and impact on student learning. The conference began on the evening of Wednesday, July 21 with a welcome reception and conference dinner.

Charles Coble, vice president of ECS, served as a keynote speaker and outlined his perspective on the role of teacher work samples within the context of the national reform agenda and political pressures related to teacher preparation.

Dr. Del Schalock, a founder of Teacher Work Sample Methodology (TWSM) and longtime professor at the Teaching Research Institute at Western Oregon University, was recognized for his pioneering and continuing contributions to teacher education related to TWSM. The presentation was made by Sam Evans of Western Kentucky University on behalf of Roger Pankratz of the Renaissance Partnership for Improving Teacher Quality, a federally funded project involving 11 institutions, many of which are using TWSM. (Del is wearing a neck brace after a recent car accident.)

Concurrent sessions began on Thursday, July 22, and concluded with a policy panel and luncheon on Friday, July 23. Left, from the University of Northern Iowa, Vickie Robinson and John Henning at the closing panel luncheon.

Attendees had their choice of three in-depth topic strands presented during interactive concurrent sessions of 90 minutes which fostered discussion and dialogue between speakers and audience. The presentations are listed below by topic strand.

Attending the conference were over 100 educators from 41 institutions in 24 states. At right, Linda Hutchison and Kay Persichitte from the University of Wyoming.

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Conference Presentations

Strand A: Emerging Best Practices around the Use of Work Samples in Initial Preparation and Licensure Programs

Strand A - Using the TWS to Guide and Inform Program Improvement
Facilitators:
Sam Evans, Antony Norman, and
Toby Daniel, seated
Western Kentucky University

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	Strand A - Improving Teacher Work Samples: Using Probe Questions to Help Pre-Service Teachers Plan Culturally Responsive Instruction
	Facilitator:
	Carol Mack
	Portland State University

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Strand A - Learning to Do a Work Sample in an Undergraduate Reading Practicum
Facilitators:
Lendi Bland and Tara Azwell
Emporia State University

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	Strand A - Effectively Integrating a Teacher Work Sample Requirement to Meet the Multiple Demands of a Standards-Based Performance Assessment Program
	Facilitators:
	Linda Damer and Susan Kiger, standing
	Elizabeth Brown, seated
	Indiana State University

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Strand A - The Use of Work Sampling for Candidate Assessment, Program Improvement and Research
Facilitator:
Sharon Castle
George Mason University

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	Strand A - Examining the Quality of Teacher Reflections Through TWS
	Facilitator:
	Mary Reynolds
	Western Oregon University

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Strand B: Emerging Best Practices around the Use of Work Samples in Induction, Mentoring, and Second Stage Licensure Programs

	Strand B - Common Goals/Uncommon Partnership - A Second Tier Certification Partnership in Washington State
	Facilitators:
	Sheila Fox and Heather Mazen Korbmacher
	Western Washington University
	Adrienne Nelson
	Bellingham School District

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Strand B - Teacher Work Sample and Program Assessment: Connecting TWS with NCATE/CEC Accreditations Standards
Facilitators:
Elba Rohena and Anne Papelia-Berardi
Millersville University of Pennsylvania

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	Strand B - Assessment for Learning: Modeling Sound Classroom Practices to Promote and Verify Candidate Competence
	Facilitator:
	Rick Stiggins
	Assessment Training Institute

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Strand B - Panel 2: Perspectives on Evolving the Practice of Teacher Work Sample Methodology in Teacher Preparation
Panelists, L to R:
Russell French, University of Tennessee
Sue Thompson, Western Oregon University
Carol Mack, Portland State University
Vickie Robinson, University of Northern Iowa

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	Strand B - Involving Mentor Teachers in the TWS Process
	Facilitators:
	Eileen Hogan and Harvey Foyle
	Emporia State University

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Strand B - Panel: Perspectives on the Evolving Policy Issues Related toTWS Methodology
Moderator and Panelists:
Meredith Brodsky, Teaching Research Institute, Western Oregon University
Toby Daniel, Western Kentucky University
Cathy Gwinn, Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
Russell French, University of Tennessee

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Strand C: Research Based Knowledge about Work Samples

	Strand C - Research on First and Second Year Teachers Using the TWSM and the Pathwise Observation Form - The Kind of Data They Provide and How Used in Program and Teacher Quality
	Facilitators:
	Kathy McKean, Kyle Dahlem, and Tracy Fredman
	Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

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Strand C - Cook School Simulation: How Does It Impact Candidates' Teacher Work Sample Performance?
Facilitators:
Jerry Girod and Mark Girod Western Oregon University

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	Strand C - TWS and Teacher Quality: What Does the Research Show?
	Facilitators:
	Steve Neill and Phil Bennett, standing
	Paul Bland, seated
	Emporia State University

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Strand C - Congruence and Divergence in the Writing, Telling and Actions
of First-Year Elementary Teachers
Facilitators:
Mark Schalock and Laurel Cuthbertson
Western Oregon University

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	Strand C - Application of Teacher Work Sample Methodology
	in a Statewide Beginning Teacher Assistance and Assessment
	Facilitators:
	Mary Ann Harmon, Louisiana Department of Education
	Russell French, University of Tennessee

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Strand C - Convergence and Divergence of Early Career Teachers' Views
of and Response to Context in the Classroom.
Implications for Teacher Preparation?
Facilitators:
Robert Ayres and Laurel Cuthbertson
Western Oregon University

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Policy Panel and Luncheon on the final day
	Moderator: Del Schalock, Division of Teaching Research
	Panel Members:
	Charles Coble, Education Commission of the States
	Kyle Dahlem, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
	Russell French, University of Tennessee
	Karen Wetherill, University of North Carolina at Wilmington (pictured at left)

 

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Be sure to register for the upcoming 2006 Oregon conference!

Extending the Culture of Evidence: Teacher Work Samples and Other Promising Practices

July 19 - 21, 2006 at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel in beautiful Portland, Oregon See you there!

 

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