ALEXANDRIA, VA. (August 26, 2010) – A series of articles on teacher quality recently published by the Los Angeles Times and comments this week by U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan drew attention to the national conversation on teacher quality.

National PTA® believes that high-quality teachers are needed to provide the excellent education that all students deserve. As the student population becomes more diverse, teachers also need to be diverse and prepared to meet the needs of today’s students and help close the achievement gap. National PTA agrees with Secretary Duncan that “the responsibility for educating our children does not fall to teachers alone.” Educating our nation’s students is a shared responsibility between families, schools, and the community.

“Since its founding in 1897, improving education for all children has been at the core of PTA’s work,” said Charles J. “Chuck” Saylors, National PTA President. “To be true partners in closing the achievement gap, parents need data about student performance and teacher quality to support learning at home and drive education reform.”

National PTA supports a balanced accountability system that uses multiple measures in order to improve academic achievement.

We agree with Secretary Duncan’s remarks this week when he said, “By requiring districts to publish test scores for subgroups like minorities and special needs students -- it changed the national conversation and forced us to focus more closely on achievement gaps.”

About National PTA National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.