Idaho was named one of seven states that will participate in a two-year pilot program designed to better prepare teachers.

On Wednesday, officials from the Council of Chief State School Officers announced Idaho will join Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Washington in the Network for Transforming Educator Preparation.

The goal of the pilot program is to ensure that, from their very first day on the jobs, teachers are capable of helping students prepare for college, work and life.

“States across the nation have raised expectations for all students and that means that we have a responsibility to ensure that educators are prepared to help all students graduate ready for careers, college and lifelong learning,” Chris Minnich, CCSSO Executive Director, said in a news release. “These seven states are among those on the leading edge of making substantive changes in the policy and practice of educator preparation.

The Network for Transforming Educator Preparation was formed in response to the Council of Chief State School Officers’ 2012 report “Our Responsibility, Our Promise: Transforming Educator Preparation and Entry Into the Profession.”

Idaho’s entry into the two-year pilot programs squares with Gov. Butch Otter’s Task Force For Improving Education’s recommendation to back the findings of the “Our Responsibility, Our Promise” report.

States participating in the pilot program will focus on teacher preparation programs, certification and tracking graduates’ performance in the classroom. In doing so, states will work with universities, school districts, nonprofits and educators to improve the way teachers are prepared for school.

“The goal of the Network for Transforming Educator Preparation is all about improving the craft of teaching,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “For those who choose teaching as their life’s work and passion, it is incumbent on us to provide the support and opportunities they need to be prepared as soon as they enter the classroom. This all begins with our teacher preparation programs.”

Luna served as chairman of the task force that prepared the “Our Responsibility, Our Promise” report while he was president of the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Click here to read the report.