National Commission on Teaching and America's Future

The National Commission on Teaching and America's Future (NCTAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan education policy advocacy organization dedicated to improving the teaching profession. Founded in 1994 by then-North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt and Stanford University professor Linda Darling-Hammond, NCTAF focuses its research on recruiting, developing, and retaining skilled teachers.

Background

NCTAF was established with a mission to ensure every child in the United States has access to quality teaching in schools organized for success. The organization develops prototypes for innovative teacher preparation, collaborative teaching teams, and strategies to leverage community engagement. These efforts are shared with influencers of education legislation and policy to drive reform.

Notable Reports

• "What Matters Most: Teaching for America's Future" (1996): This groundbreaking report issued comprehensive recommendations for education leaders and state policymakers. It advocated for overhauling teacher education programs, establishing state boards of professional teaching standards, strengthening teacher licensure standards, implementing teacher mentoring programs, and creating teacher compensation policies that reward knowledge and expertise.

• "What Matters Now: A Call to Action" (2016): Released twenty years after the original report, this publication included policy and practice recommendations to support and improve teaching and learning. It highlighted significant but uneven progress since the 1996 report, including the adoption of teacher mentoring and induction programs by most states.

Activities and Impact

NCTAF works with national, state, and local education agencies to develop evidence for policy changes that foster quality teaching and deeper learning. The organization supports systemic reforms in education, emphasizing the importance of teacher diversity and involvement in policy discussions. By advocating for clinical practice in teacher preparation and incentives for National Board certification, NCTAF aims to enhance teaching environments and student outcomes.

Merger

In 2017, the NCTAF announced its merger with Learning Forward, operating thereafter under the Learning Forward name. This change aligned with broader efforts to advance teacher professional development and learning communities.

Funding and Partnerships

NCTAF has received support from various foundations, including the Hewlett Foundation, to advance its education programs and advocacy for teaching quality. These grants have helped NCTAF refine policy agendas at the state level and inform national discussions on teaching preparation and roles in education.