Improving Teacher Quality: Using the Teacher Work Sample to Make Evidence-Based Decisions

A teacher work sample (TWS) is a description of a complete unit of instruction during student teaching, including the context of the unit, learning goals, instructional decisions made during the lesson, an analysis of student learning, and the student teacher's reflections. The authors of this book were part of the original development of the TWS at Western Oregon University in the 1980s. Here, they explain how to use the TWS as a tool for instruction and assessment of teacher candidates. They discuss the validity and reliability of the TWS, address implementation and assessment, and show how to use the TWS as a source of data for conducting inquiries. About 100 pages of appendices offer a 30-page example of an actual TWS, plus other examples and prompts. The audience for the book includes teacher educators, student teachers, student teacher supervisors, and program coordinators. There is no subject index. Henning is professor and chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Ohio University. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

John E. Henning is professor and chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Ohio University. In addition to the teacher work sample, his research interests include classroom discourse, instructional decision making, and semiotics in education. Frank W. Kohler is professor and interim head of the Department of Special Education at the University of Northern Iowa. His research interests include preparing teachers to implement evidence-based practices and fostering teaming and collaboration in schools. Victoria L. Robinson is associate professor and interim department head of educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa. She was part of the original Renaissance Teacher Work Sample team, has presented teacher work sample research at over fifty conferences, and has worked with universities to implement the teacher work sample. Barry Wilson is associate professor and director of assessment for the College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa. Research interests include program assessment and improvement in teacher education.