January 10, 2008
Chat Transcripts
A Discussion About the Teaching Profession
Two of the report's contributors took questions on what a human-capital system in education might look like so that states can unlock teaching potential and enhance student learning.
Tapping Into Teaching
The report's editors discussed ideas for strengthening the teaching profession, as well as other findings of this years Quality Counts report.
Media Coverage of Quality Counts 2008
A selection of coverage on the report from news outlets around the country.
For the Media

Vol. 27, Issue 18
For past issues, select from the drop-down menu.
Table of Contents
Web Extras
The State Highlights Reports assemble important findings in an accessible format that allows readers to examine a particular state’s performance on this year’s indicators.
| Download a State's Full Report: |
This interactive map offers a quick way to examine State-by-State grades and summary data.
A “Grading Calculator” that lets readers calculate grades for states based on weighting schemes that they devise themselves.
Provides comprehensive data for individual states and ways to compare multiple states' data in all categories.
COMMENTARIES
• Taking Teaching Quality Seriously: Margaret J. Gaston
• Data Systems: They’re Not Just About Students Anymore: Aimee R. Guidera
• A Fundamental Redesign for a People-Driven Business: Jason Kamras & Andrew J. Rotherham
• Flexibility and Dynamic Personnel Are Crucial to Meeting High Goals: Susanna Loeb
• From Gaps to Gifts: Justin Minkel
• Non-Negotiable Items for Compensation Reform: Lori Nazareno
• Gauging the Quality of School Leadership: James P. Spillane
• What High-Performing Organizations Can Teach Us: Judy Wurtzel
• Data Systems: They’re Not Just About Students Anymore: Aimee R. Guidera
• A Fundamental Redesign for a People-Driven Business: Jason Kamras & Andrew J. Rotherham
• Flexibility and Dynamic Personnel Are Crucial to Meeting High Goals: Susanna Loeb
• From Gaps to Gifts: Justin Minkel
• Non-Negotiable Items for Compensation Reform: Lori Nazareno
• Gauging the Quality of School Leadership: James P. Spillane
• What High-Performing Organizations Can Teach Us: Judy Wurtzel
From Print
Executive Summary
Quality Counts 2008 reintroduces state grades in six key areas, from the Chance-for-Success Index to the teaching profession.
Overview
Although student achievement is linked to good teachers, there is no system for attracting, training, and supporting the best people for the job.
A 50-state examination of teacher salaries relative to comparable occupations.
DATA
The ways of understanding teacher quality are changing as information systems allow states and districts to track educators and their students over time.
PAY
States may be able to play a strong role in rethinking teacher compensation systems, including basing rewards, in part, on student gains.
Even among the small number of states with pay-for-performance programs, the particulars vary widely.
Working Conditions
When it comes to retaining teachers, studies suggest that the circumstances of their jobs may matter even more than their salaries.
State of the States
This year’s report expands the set of indicators used in past years and reintroduces state grades.
Access selected articles, e-newsletters and more!
- Senior Advisor, English Language Arts/Literacy Assessment
- Achieve, Washington DC, DC
- Chief Innovation Officer
- The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®), Washington, DC
- Common Core Literacy Assessment Developer - Part Time
- The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School, New York, NY
- Instructional Leadership Director
- ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, Albany, NY
- Chief Financial Officer
- Hernando County School Board, Brooksville, FL



