Even a moderate number of teachers lacking college minors constitutes a problem for schools. Out-of-field teaching occurs in over half of U.S. secondary schools (rural and urban, affluent and low-income). The source of this problem lies not in teachers' educational attainment, but in lack of fit between teachers' field of training and their…

America's most highly qualified teachers are underrepresented in America's most challenging schools. Across the nation, only about 15% of America's expert teachers teach in high-poverty, underachieving schools. Most expert teachers teach in schools with fewer racial minority students, fewer students from low-income households, and fewer students…

It appears that job placement is not a function of the quantity or quality of preparation for administration but, rather, of the social milieu in which such preparation occurs. (Author)

Discusses the results of a survey on the academic preparation and previous professional experiences of public and private college and university presidents. (Author/WD)

In this article, the author takes a close look at alternative certification programs and is convinced that, because they vary so extremely in their requirements, all of them cannot possibly be producing highly qualified teachers. Here, he talks about Non-University Certification Programs (NUCPs). These are alternative certification programs that…

In the past five years state-required testing of potential teachers has become a nationwide trend involving 38 states (7 more are considering such laws); 9 states enacted teacher testing regulations in 1984 alone. Troubling questions raised by this trend are discussed, as are decisions considered educationally unsound that are being made in…

Looking back, the author sees that she misjudged how one becomes an educational expert. She thought it had something to do with thoughtful experience, deep thinking, reflective practice, and the study of theory and research. And maybe there was a time when that was true. But today it seems that the less one has studied education, the less one has…

Outlines the research involved in the development of a new set of standards in teacher assessment by the Teacher Assessment Project at Stanford University (CA). The program is based on a conception of teaching as a unique activity that is more than the generic skills of pedagogy and that cannot be observed in any single setting. (MD)

The training profession is not an easy one for teachers to enter because of the credibility gap that exists between education and business. Resumes must be written for the business of training and must emphasize those skills and experiences that would be applicable to business rather than to teaching. (Author/IRT)

Promotes the use of basic skills testing in the certification of new teachers and the recertification of veteran teachers. Presents the belief that better teaching will result from mandated teacher testing. (MD)

A comparison of a modern teacher certification exam with one administered more than a century ago suggests that teachers in 1876 were required to exercise a greater range of mathematical skills, concepts, and principles. (Author)

The licensing of teachers should be modeled against professions similar to teaching rather than professions like medicine and architecture that are vastly different. Applying similar licensing practices can raise the status of teaching. Ignoring these licensing practices will prevent teachers from functioning as professionals. (MD)

Research emphasizes the connection between effective schools and the degree and quality of principals' leadership. Ethnographic studies show that effective principals create organizational unity, exercise judgment with discretion and personal accountability, exploit confusion to their own advantage, and balance stability and innovation. Management…

This article suggests that current teacher licensure standards and processes need revision, and recommends new State certification agencies whose main concern would be to return authority to local districts to develop their own standards. (JH)