Pennsylvania has changed its mind about teacher certification:
One of the two states that had agreed to accept a series of national tests as the sole basis for teacher licensing appears to have reversed itself on the issue.
At least for the time being, Pennsylvania is requiring candidates who have passed the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence exams to enroll in state-approved education programs and complete internships under its auspices before receiving standard state certification...
Pennsylvania is one of just two states that have embraced the ABCTE system. Idaho followed Pennsylvania's lead last fall. What's clear now, however, is that aspiring new teachers who might have envisioned taking the board's tests and receiving a Pennsylvania license without necessarily having to take courses or enroll in college-level teacher preparation won't be able to go that route...
From the beginning, the ABCTE has faced an uphill battle against teachers' unions and schools of education, which say passing tests is not enough to qualify teachers for the classroom. The group has, however, won support from the U.S. Department of Education, which favors opening new routes into the classroom.
Posted by kswygert at January 28, 2004 08:42 PM