A new research project launched by the National Academy of Education and George Washington University aims to assess a hot-button issue: the methods used to evaluate teacher education programs.

The project’s steering committee, chaired by Michael J. Feuer, includes Robert Floden, a University Distinguished Professor of education at Michigan State University, and MSU College of Education alumna Deborah Ball (1976, ’82, ’88), who currently serves as dean at the University of Michigan School of Education.

According to an article in Education Week, The project is partially inspired by a controversial review of U.S. teacher education schools conducted by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) and U.S. News & World Report. Several educators, including Feuer and his steering committee, have raised concerns about the methodology that NCTQ used to assess program quality.

“As we’ve shaped and framed this project, we understand the issue is broader, deeper and worthy of attention, regardless of what NCTQ is planning to do,” Feuer said.

Those involved in the new research project plan to address a variety of topics, including teacher-college accreditation, teacher-performance assessments, syllabus studies and value-added approaches to measure the impact that student teachers have on their students’ academic achievements. With their research, the committee hopes to offer information to prospective students, the general public and institutions that would ultimately help improve the curricula of teacher training.

Tags: Deborah Ball, George Washington University, National Academy of Education, NCTQ, Robert Floden, Teacher education