Empowered Educators in Singapore

A. LIN GOODWIN is the Evenden Professor of Education, and vice dean at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. Her research focuses on teacher and teacher educator development, teachers' multicultural understandings, and international comparative analyses of education practice and policy. EE-LING LOW is professor of Applied Linguistics and Teacher Learning and head of Strategic Planning & Academic Quality at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. LINDA DARLING-HAMMOND is president of the Learning Policy Institute and the Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education Emeritus at Stanford University, where she founded the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education.

• Foreword vAcknowledgments ixAbout the Sponsoring Organizations xiAbout the Authors xiiiOnline Videos and Documents xvSingapore: From “Who?” to “Who’s Who!” 1Singapore in Brief: Background and Essential Information 3The Singapore School System: Many Pathways, One Goal 4Educational Governance and Policy Initiatives 11Theme 1: A Clear Vision and Belief in the Centrality of Education for Every Individual, the Economy, and Nation Building 16Theme 2: A Systemic Approach to Innovation, Reform, and Change 25Theme 3: Investing in a High-Quality Teaching Force 30Recruiting Quality 30Perceptions of Teaching as a Career 36Teacher Distribution across Schools 40Preparing Quality 41Practicum and Field Experience 52Theme 4: Developmental and Educative Appraisal for Ongoing Learning 56Nurturing and Retaining Quality: Beginning Teacher Induction 56Professional Learning and Recognition 64Professional Learning beyond Induction 72Professional Development along Differentiated Career Tracks 94Theme 5: Learning System and Learning Profession 102Review and Enhancement of Initial Teacher Preparation Programs: Maintaining Quality 102Discussion 106A Clear Vision and Belief in the Centrality of Education 106A Systemic Approach to Innovation, Reform, and Change 106Building and Sustaining a High-Quality Teaching Workforce 107Appraisal That Is Educative and Developmental 108A Learning System and a Learning Profession 108Conclusion: Future Challenges and Directions 109Notes 111Appendix 113References 115