The INTASC Standards are the best thing for all teachers.  The teachers should live by these standards.  They are simple and concise, they tell you exactly what to do.  INTASC is a list of standards that explains what every teacher should know and be able to do in order to teach effectively.  It is used by for many teacher preparation programs. There are ten categories that make up these INTASC standards, each of which are essential for educators to incorporate.

            1^st The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.

• The teacher understands major concepts, assumptions, debates, processes of inquiry, and ways of knowing that are central to the discipline she or he teaches.
• The teacher understands how students' conceptual frameworks and their misconceptions for an area of knowledge can influence their learning.
• The teacher can relate his/her disciplinary knowledge to other subject areas.

            2^nd The teacher understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social and personal development.

• The teacher understands how learning occurs-how students construct knowledge, acquire skills, and develop habits of mind-and knows how to use instructional strategies that promote student learning.
• The teacher understands that students' physical, social, emotional, moral and cognitive development influence learning and knows how to address these factors when making instructional decisions.
• The teacher is aware of expected developmental progressions and ranges of individual variation within each domain (physical, social, emotional, moral and cognitive), can identify levels of readiness in learning, and understands how development in any one domain may affect performance in others.

            3^rd The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

4^th- The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

• The teacher understands the cognitive processes associated with various kinds of learning (e.g. critical and creative thinking, problem structuring and problem solving, invention, memorization and recall) and how these processes can be stimulated.
• The teacher understands principles and techniques, along with advantages and limitations, associated with various instructional strategies (e.g. cooperative learning, direct instruction, discovery learning, whole group discussion, independent study, interdisciplinary instruction).
• The teacher knows how to enhance learning through the use of a wide variety of materials as well as human and technological resources (e.g. computers, audio-visual technologies, videotapes and discs, local experts, primary documents and artifacts, texts, reference books, literature, and other print resources).

            5^th -The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

• The teacher can use knowledge about human motivation and behavior drawn from the foundational sciences of psychology, anthropology, and sociology to develop strategies for organizing and supporting individual and group work.
• The teacher understands how social groups function and influence people, and how people influence groups.
• The teacher knows how to help people work productively and cooperatively with each other in complex social settings.
• The teacher understands the principles of effective classroom management and can use a range of strategies to promote positive relationships, cooperation, and purposeful learning in the classroom.
• The teacher recognizes factors and situations that are likely to promote or diminish intrinsic motivation, and knows how to help students become self-motivated

            6^th -The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration and supportive interaction in the classroom.

• The teacher understands communication theory, language development, and the role of language in learning.
• The teacher understands how cultural and gender differences can affect communication in the classroom.
• The teacher recognizes the importance of nonverbal as well as verbal communication.
• The teacher knows about and can use effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques.

            7^th -The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

• The teacher understands learning theory, subject matter, curriculum development, and student development and knows how to use this knowledge in planning instruction to meet curriculum goals.
• The teacher knows how to take contextual considerations (instructional materials, individual student interests, needs, and aptitudes, and community resources) into account in planning instruction that creates an effective bridge between curriculum goals and students' experiences.
• The teacher knows when and how to adjust plans based on student responses and other contingencies.

            8^th - The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.

• The teacher understands the characteristics, uses, advantages, and limitations of different types of assessments (e.g. criterion-referenced and norm-referenced instruments, traditional standardized and performance-based tests, observation systems, and assessments of student work) for evaluating how students learn, what they know and are able to do, and what kinds of experiences will support their further growth and development.
• The teacher knows how to select, construct, and use assessment strategies and instruments appropriate to the learning outcomes being evaluated and to other diagnostic purposes.
• The teacher understands measurement theory and assessment related issues, such as validity, reliability, bias, and scoring concerns.

            9^th- The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

• The teacher understands methods of inquiry that provide him/her with a variety of self-assessment and problem-solving strategies for reflecting on his/her practice, its influences on students' growth and learning, and the complex interactions between them.
• The teacher is aware of major areas of research on teaching and of resources available for professional learning (e.g. professional literature, colleagues, professional associations, and professional development activities).

            10^th -The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well-being.

• The teacher understands schools as organizations within the larger community context and understands the operations of the relevant aspects of the systems within which she/he works.
• The teacher understands how factors in the students' environment outside of school (e.g. family circumstances, community environments, health and economic conditions) may influence students' life and learning.
• The teacher understands and implements laws related to students' rights and teacher responsibilities (e.g. for equal education, appropriate education for handicapped students, confidentiality, privacy, appropriate treatment of students, reporting in situations related to possible child abuse).

In conclusion, INTASC standards are need very much.  I truly believe if all teachers follow these, they will get the job done.  They will be the best.  A teacher must follow all ten principle to be considered effective in the classroom.