The Teacher Quality Index: A Protocol for Teacher Selection.

The Teacher Quality Index: A Protocol for Teacher Selection

by James H. Stronge and Jennifer L. Hindman, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Alexandria, Va., 2006, 138 pp. with index, $27.95 softcover 

Co-authors James H. Stronge, Heritage professor in educational policy, planning and leadership at the College of William and Mary, and Jennifer L. Hindman, educational consultant with Teacher Quality Resources, use their research to link teacher effectiveness and student success while focusing on the importance of teacher selection.

In their book, The Teacher Quality Index: A Protocol for Teacher Selection, Stronge and Hindman have created a tool to assist those responsible for teacher hiring.

The Teacher Quality Index, or TQI, was designed by combining research on the characteristics of an effective teacher and how to conduct a good interview. The first tool designed by the authors, the screening interview, narrows the pool of applicants. The building-level interview, which is more extensive, is used with the most promising candidates. The questions relate to specifics about teaching practice and ask the applicants to expand on their abilities, skills and experiences.

The TQI tools designed by Stronge and Hindman could be especially helpful to a novice administrator who is suddenly thrust into the teacher selection process with little background or assistance.

Veteran interviewers also can benefit by reviewing the current interview questions and procedures with an eye toward improving their own teacher selection process.

The TQI tools or interview forms are contained on the CD-room that accompanies the book.

Reviewed by Edythe B. Austermuhl, superintendent, Deerfield Township School District, Rosenhayn, N.J.