1.4 Standards

* (Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium)

Embedded within the University of Northwestern Teacher Education Curriculum is preparation and assessment of each of the ten INTASC Standards. These standards represent the work of the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium and are designed to guide assessment of beginning teachers. Students should be familiar with these standards and seek ways to document their expertise in these areas as they prepare their professional Program Portfolios. Guidelines for Program Portfolio development may be found in the Program Portfolio Handbook available in the SOE Confluence site. The ten INTASC Standards are listed below.

The Standards of Effective Practice adopted by the state of Minnesota to guide the preparation of teachers provides more detailed information about each of the ten standards. The Standards of Effective Practice may be viewed in their entirety at the following web address: http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/8710/2000.

Standard One: Subject Matter

The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful to students.

Standard Two: Student Learning

The teacher understands how children and youth learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social and personal development.

Standard Three: Diverse Learners

The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to learners from diverse cultural backgrounds and with exceptionalities.

Standard Four: Instructional Strategies

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills.

Standard Five: Learning Environment

The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.

Standard Six: Communication

The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration and supportive interaction in the classroom.

Standard Seven: Planning Instruction

The teacher plans and manages instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community and curriculum goals.

Standard Eight: Assessment

The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.

Standard Nine: Reflection and Professional Development

The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of her/his choices and actions on others (students, parents and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

Standard Ten: Collaboration, Ethics and Relationships

The teacher communicates and interacts with parents/guardians, families, school colleagues and the community to support the students’ learning and well-being.

Teacher education programs at the University of Northwestern are designed to provide students with the preparation and experiences necessary to meet the licensure standards adopted by the state of Minnesota for the specific licensure field.  A detailed listing of these standards may be viewed at the web addresses listed below.