In Texas, they're debating whether to allow uncertified teachers to enter the classroom based on test scores:
The State Board of Education is scheduled to vote Wednesday and Friday on the proposal, which would make it easier for uncertified college graduates to take up teaching.
Under existing rules, they must enroll in a teacher preparation program, which typically requires them to teach in the daytime and take education classes at night or on weekends for one or two years.
The new process would allow college graduates without teaching experience or education coursework to receive a two-year teaching certificate for grades 8-12 after passing two tests: in teaching methods and in subject matter.
Educators are divided about whether the proposal would generate effective teachers or merely knowledgeable instructors who aren't up to the task. Both sides cite studies that back them up...
According to the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, there's no research that supports taking untrained college graduates, testing them and placing them in classrooms...
Unfortunately for the NCATE, there's also little research to suggest that education degrees, or classes in education, are useful:
The Department of Education argues that the research linking traditional education programs to teacher quality is thin, according to Michael Petrilli, a senior aide at the department. Instead, he said, studies show that teachers' cognitive ability and content knowledge matter most.
Based on that, the department backs proposals like Texas' that eliminate formal programs from the certification process.
Okay, all you teachers out there - what do you think?
Posted by kswygert at February 23, 2004 04:28 PM