This is an era of transformation in the preparation, induction, and assessment of prospective teachers. The tension between local and state control is at the heart of the debate. States should be responsible for establishing performance standards that ensure that new teachers are well-prepared, competent, and ready to teach. This is why the…

In this article, the author shares her mother's teaching career without any college education or teacher training and discusses what it conveys about teachers who are not fully certified. While the author favors more traditional paths to teaching, culminating in full certification, she admits that there are other viable options. Just as 60 years…

Proposes the creation of a collaborative school, a new kind of professional development school somewhat analogous to the teaching hospital. The school's three-fold purpose would be to educate children, prepare teachers through intensive clinical experiences, and to provide opportunities for inquiry through research and reflection. Common goals and…