Separated Massachusetts colleges and universities into three categories to examine their differentiated responses to teacher testing in Massachusetts, where poor results have resulted in much controversy. The finding that institutions of higher education have responded effectively to teacher testing does not preclude critique of teacher testing as…

To identify a procedure for establishing cut scores for National Occupational Competency Testing Institute examinations in Pennsylvania, an expert panel assessed written and performance test items for minimally competent workers. Recommendations about the number, type, and training of judges used were made. (Contains 18 references.) (SK)

Understanding the relationship between teacher test scores and student achievement is important in an accountability environment that favors using quantitative measures of teaching quality, as is the case with Mexico's national "Carrera Magisterial" (CM) teacher incentive program. The results of this paper suggest that teacher test…

The purpose of this study was to determine the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required of effective Agricultural Science teachers both inside and outside the classroom as perceived by preservice and inservice teachers and to suggest ways that preservice teachers can gain those competencies prior to entering the teaching…

This brochure explains the National Board certification process, helping teachers understand the process and suggesting ways for them to become involved in National Board certification even if a certificate for their area is not yet available or if they are not yet ready to pursue National Board certification. Section 1 explains what the National…

Discusses how members of the Iowa Legislature, the Iowa State Department of Education, and the Iowa Association of Colleges of Teacher Education have been in heated conversation in the last year about the legislature's push to institute teacher testing as a way of improving the quality of Iowa's teaching force. (SG)

Teachers' knowledge of mathematics is pivotal to their capacity to provide effective mathematics instruction and to their ability to assess student learning (Ball, Hill, & Bass, 2005; Ma, 1999; Schifter, 1999). The National Council for the Teaching of Mathematics (NCTM, 2000) makes it clear that teachers need knowledge of the whole domain as well…

The competency testing of teacher candidates has become almost universal in the United States. This paper explores some of the issues associated with competency testing, especially as they relate to teacher testing in California. The practice has its origin in concern that some of those who choose to pursue teaching careers in the elementary and…

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,…

Examines Pennsylvania's teacher preparation and selection processes over the past decade, highlighting teacher test scores across colleges of education and in employing districts. The higher a district's teacher unemployment rate, the more likely it is to hire former students. Student achievement is lower in schools with greater proportions of…

Discusses how in Connecticut, all teachers must be certified for the position they hold. Outlines the specific certification levels in Connecticut for English Language Arts. (SG)

Used modified Delphi approach to examine whether a consensus could be reached between Taiwanese professors and teachers about desired competencies for kindergarten teachers that could be examined during a simulated teaching performance test. Found that the 2 groups agreed on 17 of 22 competencies and all agreed the 22 competencies could be…

This article describes the work Colorado has done to meet the "highly qualified teaching" requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Colorado's standard is devoid of the loopholes that have drawn criticism to other states' policies, many of which, observers have suggested, fall short of both the letter and the spirit of the…

The present study sought to examine the relationship between teacher quality and student achievement in public elementary schools in a community district school of the New York City. It has 23 elementary schools, more than 7,600 students and around 350 teachers. For this study, participants consist of a sample of 117 full-time teachers who were…

The continuing trend toward increasing diversity of curriculum offered within secondary agricultural education programs is driving a change in pre-service and in-service technical training for agriculture teachers. This study looks at agriculture teachers' perceived importance of, and competence in, traditional technical competencies such as…