Harold Keller
Title: Professor and Chair Department of Psychological and Social Foundations
Specialty: State of the education field, School psychology.
Contact Information:
USF College of Education
EDU 162
Phone: (813) 974-6709
E-mail this USF Collaborative Partner
Details:
Educational and Professional Background:
Ph.D., Florida State University.
Topics of expertise:
State of the education field, School psychology.
What do you have to say about the status of public education?
“What we actually do well in this country is reading, writing and arithmetic. What we don’t do well is teach students to get along with each other.”
What’s the biggest issue in your field right now and how would you address it?
“The teacher shortage is the biggest issue. We need to do a better job of getting the word out about the good things going on in K-12 education. We need to engage in more research that addresses concerns in the schools, and engage in actions that move that research into practice. Accountability also is a big issue. We’re using an accountability system in Florida and 48 states that rank orders kids and schools but doesn’t provide information on how to make things better. Nebraska is bucking the system and doesn’t use a form of FCAT. It uses teacher-made assessments that tells teachers, right now, information that they can use tomorrow. That’s a motivating, timely assessment system.”
How else can the teacher shortage be addressed?
“There are two variables to the teacher shortage: recruitment and retention. We want to decrease the teacher shortage, but we don’t want to increase their pay accordingly, which is a bad business model.”
How is USF’s production of teachers?
“USF produces more teachers than the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of North Florida combined.”
Is public education adequately funded?
“No, and taking money away from higher education to fund public school education isn’t the answer; nor is robbing social services to pay for it.”
How can public school education be made better?
“There is real value to year-round school. Make teacher days 8-5, so they can do evening preparation at school, and increase their pay. Kids don’t need three months of vacation. They need recess.”
