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The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence -- a national board that creates tests for aspiring teachers -- has recently added 13 new members to its board of directors, and one of them is University education Professor Douglas Carnine.
Carnine has spent a vast majority of his 30-plus years with the University, either directing or co-directing a number of federally funded grants to the College of Education. He has also brought in millions of dollars of federal money to one of the best colleges of education in the country.
In addition to working on more than 20 federally funded grants, Carnine has written more than 60 research articles, 40 essays, 20 book chapters and seven books. He has also presented at more than 100 conferences around the globe.
As a member of the board, he will attend two meetings annually and will be called to attend conferences as needed.
"Dr. Carnine is one of the most distinguished research faculty in the College of Education," College of Education Dean Martin Kaufman said. "His career has focused on research-based practices in the profession. He has championed curriculum designs for preparing to teach K-12 students."
Kaufman added that Carnine has been one of the national leaders in evidence-based practices, meaning he utilizes the scientific method for determining what works for students. Carnine taught in the college and worked as an adviser to the national board before he was appointed to its board of directors.
"I'm just working part time, not teaching. I'm just doing grant and project work," Carnine said. "I haven't taught for a number of years. My project work is paid for by federal grants." Carnine said he was invited to join the group's board of directors six months ago while he was working as a board adviser. As an adviser, he looked at specific project content or tests in which he'd work to set minimum passing scores, he said.
As a member of the board, he spends time working on finances, planning for the future and working on state relationships. Carnine said he has to look at a broader range of issues now that he's on the board.
"I think their work is important, so I'm pleased to be able to serve in that capacity," he said. The board works to ensure there is a highly qualified teacher in every classroom, and it does this by creating tests that individual states use to asses a person's ability to work as a teacher. Each state then formulates its own standards for what scores are required to earn a teaching credential, Carnine said.
Kaufman said that the board is part of a conglomerate of leaders from throughout the country who are working in education.
"Doug is a respected member and consultant of the organizations behind (the board)," Kaufman said, adding that Carnine has had a long relationship with many of those groups. "The board is important because there's a shortage of qualified teachers," Carnine said. "Many people who have a degree in science or math are working and may not have time or money to go back to school. This test allows someone to move into teaching."
Carnine said the test was designed to be rigorous and, in some cases, even harder than college classes.
"To pass they'd have to know more than if they went through some of the teaching programs offered across the country," he said.
Carnine developed an interest in education when he attended the University of Illinois, where he met his wife of 34 years, Linda. The couple decided to move to Oregon when a project that Carnine had been working on had its funding and staff moved to the University. Carnine said he liked the move to Oregon because the University has a very good education school and he and his wife like the area.
"The College of Education has the highest grant revenue per faculty than any other college in the United States," Carnine said.
Carnine's contributions to the College of Education, in the form of grant money, total between $25 and 30 million, he said, adding that the total encompasses everyone else who has been involved with the projects.
"It's exciting that he's involved with getting people certified and involved with public education," Linda Carnine said.
Linda Carnine has been highly involved with education as well. She worked in the Springfield School District as an elementary school principal and as director of special programs for the district.
"We certainly have common interests and an understanding of when the other's work gives certain restraints," she said. "I think our interest in trying to improve kids who grow up in poverty goes back to when we first met 35 years ago. I really believe in the concept of No Child Left Behind. It's a real ticket to life for everyone."
canelawood@dailyemerald.com
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