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| AAE, Education Reform Coalition Pen Letter Asking Administration to Hold Teacher Preparation Programs Accountable |
| posted by: Alix | August 28, 2012, 05:58 PM |
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With the teaching profession growing and evolving, one theme that remains constant is the fact that effective teachers are the key to student success. Studies have shown that education schools are deeply in need of reform. From attracting top high school graduates, to improving the quality of instruction, institutions that prepare future teachers must be able to produce results. In order to bring our colleges of education into a new era of success, AAE has joined with Democrats for Education Reform and other stakeholders to pen a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan urging the administration to hold teacher preparation programs accountable. The fact is we are at a crossroads with teacher preparation in America. Each year, some 200,000 schools of education graduates and alternative route participants are newly placed in our classrooms. Too often, they themselves and their employers discover that they are ill-prepared to teach and as a consequence the children in their classes do not have the opportunity to learn to their utmost potential. Students from historically disadvantaged groups, who year after year are taught by the least effective teachers, are by far the most frequent victims– often with life-changing consequences. AAE members agree that our teacher preparation system needs to be reformed for the sake of the profession and for our students. In addition to supporting alternative certification programs for degreed professionals and intense training programs like Teach For America, AAE members are eager to see changes in how our new teachers are trained. Ninety-four percent agree with a report by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education that recommends improving teacher education via mentorships programs akin to those at medical schools. Survey respondents overwhelmingly agree with focusing less on in-classroom lessons and more on training in the field, much like a medical residency. Moving forward, we know that effective teachers make a fundamental difference in the lives of our nation's students. Yet for decades, little attention has been paid to how teachers are prepared to succeed in the classroom. While education reform often highlights the need for policy changes inside the classroom, it's time to focus on building better teachers from the very beginning. Click here to view the full letter and list of co-signers. What do you think about the state of teacher preparation? Comment below.
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Comments (1)
... written by William Scott (Kansas), August 29, 2012
As a recently retired university (10yrs) and high school (32)yrs) teacher, I, too, am very concerned about the quality and training of the teachers graduating from our colleges and universities. Keeping up with advancements in technology and ever demanding, government curriculum requirements, has taken the place of much more quality time spent on the actual skills needed in a competent and motivating classroom environment. Becoming a lifetime, professional teacher is becoming a less & less attractive option for bright and promising students. Adding another year of preparation with no or limited pay, when school districts are squeezed to their financial limits, will likely discourage even more of our most talented teacher candidates. It is time we step back, re-evaluate the priorities of the scope and essential training of quality educators. Adding more expense and time to the teacher preparation experience will only encourage potential teachers to take a different career path. Add to that the fact that many teachers have gone years without salary increases and are expected to continue even more tasks and we have a system destined for failure of teachers AND students! Much like parenting, it is the quality of time spent, not the quantity that provides the best benefits. I agree with the need for better teacher training...I do not agree with the proposed plan to accomplish that. Thank you.
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