In order to professionalize teaching, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) supports (1) a national entry-level teacher exam; (2) expanding choices for parents, students, and teachers; (3) a professional teacher board; (4) a better career ladder; and (5) restructuring education by modifying teachers' professional levels and roles,…

Teaching can be respected as a genuine profession when teachers are experts in their subject matter and effectively induct students into that expertise. This requires a strong preservice program and rigorous licensing requirements, accompanied by effective induction programs, peer review, intervention programs, ongoing professional development,…

Argues that professionalization is needed to help teachers improve their status and attain better compensation and a greater voice in decision making. Calls for a national teacher examination; expanding choice for parents, students, and teachers; a professional teacher board; a different kind of career ladder; and restructuring the delivery of…

Discusses education reforms currently taking place, including changed education practices and new methods of assessing teacher competence; describes the occupation of teaching as it currently exists--low pay, low status, poor conditions, and unprofessional treatment; and suggests educational reform momentum depends upon an informed, knowledgeable,…

Reviews achievements and limitations of the current educational reform movement. Argues that the coming teacher shortage can best be averted, and real reform achieved, by restructuring the teaching profession to allow for greater flexibility, expanded use of educational technology, and a more extensive support staff. (TE)

Empower teachers by giving them control over organizational and instructional decisions. To improve education and attract and retain good teachers, restructure teaching as a self-governing profession like medicine, with comparable self-determined standards for entry and advancement, assumption of professional integrity and expertise, and…

The author calls for a tough national teacher examination to make teaching a genuine profession, to convince the public to pay teachers what they're worth, to empower teachers to make educational decision, to attract the best and brightest, and to ensure high quality education. Problems and prospects are discussed. (BS)

Argues that teaching must become a profession--entailing both expertise and relative autonomy--if public schools are to improve. Outlines elements of professionalism and proposes means to professionalize teaching. (MCG)

By increasing salaries, raising hiring standards, improving working conditions, and giving teachers more professional status, public education will greatly improve the quality of its teachers, but the best will not be attracted until base salaries are above $30,000 or other means are found to bring top scholars into the field. (MSE)