|
The preparation required to be a K-12 educator in the United States, in general, pales next to international standards.
"All major industrialized nations require rigorous teacher preparation. For secondary teachers, France requires three years of study in the discipline; for elementary teachers, a degree in general studies; both are followed by two years of study at a teacher training institution. Germany requires a content major plus training in pedagogy. New teachers in Germany have a reduced class schedule, assist in the classroom, and receive regular professional development. France pairs new teachers for two years with a senior teacher. Japan has a compulsory year-long induction program.
"The fact that other industrialized nations require education in ‘how to teach’ should give pause to those in the U.S. who promote the view that high quality teachers are produced by any bachelor's degree and a background check. High-quality teachers are produced around the globe through high-quality teacher preparation." Art Wise in "NCLB's Unintended Consequences," Quality Teaching, Spring 2004
Teacher Requirements
- What does it take to become a teacher?
- The Economic Policy Institute's book Teacher Quality finds: "Given that many dimensions of teacher characteristics matter—preparation in both pedagogic and subject content, credentials, experience, and test scores—the findings from the literature imply that there is no merit in large-scale elimination of all credentialing requirements."
Standards for Professional Preparation and Licensing
Teacher Preparation Programs
Resources for Education Students
Paraprofessional Requirements and Preparation
Paraprofessional to Teacher
|
