WHEREAS,       the education of all children is a fundamental value to the

                     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and

                 

WHEREAS,       the Commonwealth has the responsibility to ensure that Pennsylvania’s teacher preparation programs produce high quality teachers in a system that is seamless and provides for continuous growth; and

      

WHEREAS,       the Commonwealth desires to further position its teaching preparation programs as an economic and educational magnet that not only meets the unique demands of Pennsylvania schools, but also provides other states with quality teaching candidates; and

                    

WHEREAS,       the Commonwealth has a responsibility to identify an agenda for teacher preparation excellence in Pennsylvania through effective research, identification of best practices and input from major stakeholders.

      

      NOW, THEREFORE, I, Edward Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other laws, do hereby establish the Training America's Teachers Commission (hereinafter referred to as "Commission") as hereinafter set forth:

1.   Purpose.  The Commission shall:

a.  Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, which includes Pennsylvania, national and international studies.

 

b.  Identify and benchmark signature teacher preparation programs both in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

 

c.  Gather input from stakeholders across Pennsylvania by providing avenues for discourse that include teachers, parents, business leaders, and key legislative representatives and staff.

 

d.  Produce a final report containing recommendations.

2.   Responsibilities.  The Commission shall:

a.  Examine and make specific recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of teacher preparation programs in Pennsylvania.

 

b.  Examine and make specific recommendations to link PreK-12 education with the preparation of teachers in Pennsylvania.

 

c.  Examine and make specific recommendations that will further position the Commonwealth's teaching preparation programs as an economic and educational magnet that not only meets the unique demands of Pennsylvania's schools, but also provides other states with quality teaching candidates.

 3.   Composition and Appointments.

a.  The Commission shall be chaired by a prominent Pennsylvanian, and its members shall consist of a wide spectrum of stakeholders that include the following:

(1) The Secretary of Education.

 

(2) The Deputy Secretary of the Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education.

 

(3) The Deputy Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.

 

(4) The Secretary of Policy and Planning.

 

(5) Two members of the Senate or staff designees, one appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

 

(6) Two members of the House of Representatives or staff designees, one appointed by the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

 

(7) Representatives from each of the following stakeholder groups:

(a) Public PreK-12 education, including administrators, teachers, and parents.

 

(b) College and university teacher preparation programs.

 

(c)  College and university administration.

 

(d) Civic and business leaders.

 

(e) At least one student enrolled in a teacher preparation program.

 

(f)  The State Board of Education.

 b.  A Commission Steering Committee, appointed by the Secretary of Education and composed of select members of the Commission, will direct the work of the Commission with the assistance of a consultant who will help manage the process, facilitate key session, conduct necessary research and produce a final report.

 

c.  The Pennsylvania Department of Education shall provide administrative support of the Commission.

 

d.  A Commission member may designate an alternate to attend Commission meetings, if required.

 4.   Terms of membership.

a.  Members of the Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

 

b.  Should a vacancy occur on the Commission due to resignation, disability, or death of a member, the Governor, or other appointing authority, as applicable, should appoint a successor as expeditiously as possible.

5.   Compensation.  Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their services, except that such members may be reimbursed for actual travel and related expenses in accordance with Commonwealth travel and subsistence policies.

      

6.  Reports.  The Commission shall present an initial report to the Governor no later than December 31, 2005.  The Commission shall produce a final report containing recommendations on the teaching preparation programs in Pennsylvania no later than March 31, 2006.

      

7. Executive Agencies.  All agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction shall provide assistance to the Commission as requested by the Chair.

      

8. Effective Date.  This Executive Order shall be effective immediately.

      

9. Termination Date.  This Executive Order shall continue in force for one calendar year.