What is the Teaching and Learning Collaborative?

 The Teaching and Learning Collaborative (TLC) brings together the New York City Department of Education, a select group of university partners, and a group of carefully chosen elementary and middle schools to offer current education students the opportunity to student teach in a high need / high performing New York City public school. 

How does participation in the Teaching and Learning Collaborative help me during my full-time job search?

Finding a full-time teaching position in New York City public schools is highly competitive.  Only 25% of all teacher applicants were able to secure a job during the 2008 recruitment season.

However, 76% of 2008 TLC participants secured jobs during the 2008 recruitment season.  For the 2009-2010 school year, we project that the majority of teacher vacancies will occur in districts that have a disproportionately large number of high need schools.  Because participation in the TLC means that you will student teach in high need / high achieving school, you can set yourself apart from other candidates during your full-time job search by speaking with confidence and direct field knowledge about working with a high need student population.  As the 2009 recruiting season promises to be extremely competitive, acceptance into the TLC offers unique advantages.

Exclusive to TLC participants, you will receive guaranteed access to the Office of Teacher Recruitment and Quality (TRQ), including:

  • Individual resume review and workshop invitations
  • In-person mock interview with a TRQ recruiter
  • Consideration for TRQ select

What is a high need school?

 A high need school is a school that faces unique challenges when tasked with increasing student achievement.  The high-need determination is made through the calculation of a peer index.  Where a school falls on this peer index scale helps to determine how high need a school is.
  • The elementary and K-8 schools’ peer index is calculated using a composite demographic statistic based on the percentage of English Language Learners, Special Education students, Black and Hispanic students, as well as eligibility for Title 1 free and reduced lunch. 
  • Middle and High schools’ peer index is calculated using the average 4th or 8th grade proficiency ratings for English Language Arts and Math. 

What is a high performing school?

A high performing school is a school that has earned high grades on its annual progress reports.  These reports help parents, teachers, and principals to better understand how well schools are doing.  The progress report grades a school receives are based on three categories:
  • School environment. (includes student attendance as well as the result of parent, student, and teacher surveys)
  • Student performance. (as measured by elementary and middle school students’ scores each year on the New York State tests in English Language Arts and Math)
  • Student progress. (as measured by how much schools help students progress during the school year in subjects such as reading, writing, math, science, and history)

Student teaching in a high need / high performing school is an excellent opportunity to work alongside experienced educators in a diverse and dynamic field placement while continuing to develop your skill set to effectively drive student achievement.  Most importantly, you can make a difference for those students who need you the most.

Requirements
  • TLC is available to candidates completing their New York State certification requirements from a New York State accredited teacher education program.
  • TLC is currently available to students at The City College of New York, The College of Staten Island, Fordham University, Lehman College, Long Island University, St. Francis College, St. John's University, Teachers College, Hofstra University, Hunter College, Pace University, and Brooklyn College.  If you are not currently enrolled at one of these schools and are interested in learning more about the TLC, please contact your college/university representative.  
  • Candidates must have successfully met all college/university mandated requirements for student teaching.
  • Upon graduation, candidates must be certified to teach at the elementary or middle school level.

How to Apply?

  • Click here to apply for Fall, 2009.  You must submit a completed application by July 3, 2009 to be considered for inclusion in the Fall, 2009 cohort.
  • You will be asked to create a user account and then you will be redirected to the application.
  • Be sure to fill out the entire application, paying special attention to the required short essay responses.
  • All applications will be screened for eligibility and quality.