Today, education leaders representing a wide array of organization from across New Mexico announced an upcoming statewide survey of teachers and administrators on school teaching and learning conditions. The purpose of the Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning (TELL) New Mexico Survey is to document and analyze how teachers and other educators view the teaching and learning conditions at their school. The anonymous survey will provide valuable data for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders so they can make evidence-based decisions on policies and practices that will improve student achievement and teacher retention.
The TELL New Mexico Partners were brought together under the leadership of Chaouki Abdallah, Provost , University of New Mexico, as part of the University’s initiative to establish a world-class College of Education at UNM that rivals the best education schools anywhere. "This is a unique opportunity to bring all education partners together to help pave the path forward for our next generation of education practitioners. The results of the statewide survey will inform how we can best prepare classroom teachers and school leaders, "said Provost Abdallah. TELL New Mexico Partners include New Mexico Public Education Department, New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders, New Mexico School Boards Association, National Education Association of New Mexico, New Mexico Association of Secondary School Principals, American Federation of Teachers New Mexico, and Albuquerque Teachers Federation.
NEA New Mexico’s President, Betty Patterson, a teacher on leave from the Las Cruces Public Schools agrees that TELL New Mexico is a wonderful opportunity to hear from school-based educators. “Research shows the connection of positive teaching conditions to positive student outcomes. With TELL New Mexico we show we value the voices of the educators who work with children every day in our schools and want to hear from them as to the supports they say they have to do their jobs well.”
From January 27 through February 21, 2014, the TELL Survey will be administered to all licensed New Mexico educators employed in the state.
All school-based, licensed public school teachers and principals will be asked to submit their perceptions on a variety of issues related to student achievement and teacher retention, including the adequacy of facilities and resources, time, empowerment, school and teacher leadership, community support, managing of student conduct, professional development, mentoring and induction services.
By documenting and analyzing how public school educators view critical teaching and learning conditions, this initiative will provide each New Mexico school with its own data that can become a part of the ongoing improvement planning processes in each school, school districts, and at the state level. TELL New Mexico Survey data can be used to promote discussions about instruction, planning time, professional development, school improvement, and related policy issues at both the school and district levels.
“Our superintendents look forward to working with school leaders to use the data gathered in the TELL New Mexico Survey. This will be another valuable tool in our data toolbox that drives instructional practices,” said Dr. Gloria Rendon, Executive Director New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders.
The survey will be administered by the New Teacher Center (NTC), a national organization dedicated to supporting the development of a high-quality teaching force. NTC has conducted similar surveys in other states, and since 2009 has heard from more than one million educators. Results from the TELL New Mexico Survey will be analyzed and reported approximately five weeks after the close of the survey window. Results will be at the school (if at least 50 percent of educators responded), district, and state levels.
For more information about the 2014 TELL New Mexico Survey, and to track individual response rates by school, please visit www.tellnewmexico.org