Human and Organizational Capital

No matter how modern the facility, how savvy the technology, or how abundant the teaching supplies, the expertise of the teacher and of those who lead teachers has the greatest impact on the quality and extent of student learning. How the school and district are structured and the processes that are embraced to support teaching and learning can significantly affect the performance of teachers and students. Understanding that human capital plays a pivotal role in education leads us to seek answers to the following questions: how do we identify and recruit those individuals who have the heart and expertise to do this work on a daily basis; what training should be provided to them so that their expertise in pedagogy and methodology is superior; how do we retain them once they are hired; what kinds of support and professional development must be sustained to keep them in the profession; who is capable of leading them to a higher level of expertise once they are in the profession; what organizational structures and processes should be embraced to ensure highly reliable organizations that assure success for all students?

This component examines human and organizational capital to determine those elements that are essential for Missouri’s educational system to provide the state’s children a world-class education that prepares them for learning, work, and life in a global society.

Guiding Principles – Human and Organizational Capital

Effective teaching enhances student learning.

Selection and preparation of teacher candidates and ongoing support of teachers affects the quality of teaching.

Compensation is an essential element in recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers.

Organizational structures and processes at the school and district level affect student learning.

Principal and superintendent leadership is critical to student learning.

A collaborative relationship between PK – 12 and teacher and administrator preparation programs affects the quality of teaching and learning.

Effective teacher evaluation is essential for improving classroom instruction.

Personnel decisions should be based on student learning rather than statute.

Employment and retention of qualified support staff is essential to student growth and development.

Models of success from other states and countries must be considered to improve teaching and learning in Missouri.