Teachers should possess knowledge of their subject area, sound teaching and communication skills, a passion for teaching, and a love of children.

This was the conclusion of focus groups conducted with 18 civic and education organizations in 2000, and it served as an impetus for PEF’s research into highly effective teaching.

In the spring of 2000, PEF was selected to participate in groundbreaking research funded by the Public Education Network and the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI).

Between October 2001 and October 2002, PEF studied the experiences, beliefs, credentials, and practices of 92 elementary and middle school teachers in Hamilton County’s public schools. The purpose of this research study, entitled “Highly Effective Teachers," was to determine the qualities possessed by highly effective teachers and to use this information to help our community recruit, train, and retain quality teachers for all Hamilton County students. Using multiple strands of research, PEF studied the skills and characteristics of 92 of Hamilton County's highly effective teachers.

An important outcome of this research is a set of guidelines that document the art of highly effective teaching.

In fall of 2003, the PEF’s Teacher Quality Research program began a new study. Recognizing that teachers play the key role in helping students to be successful in school, understanding more about the character and position of teachers is a necessity. Under the title “Defining Teacher Quality,” this research study aims to discern the elements that make teachers effective.

For more information on Highly Effective Teaching, contact:
Debra Vaughan
423.668.2421