rant/rave

Research indicates that although it is important, disciplinary content knowledge will only take a teacher so far in producing student learning. That’s why I oppose programs like Teach for America, which offer only half of what’s needed. Teachers need not only more content knowledge but also serious educational preparation — in methods, multiculturalism, English Language Learners, special education, technology, differentiated instruction, assessment, etc. And only if we have teachers who stay in the classroom more than a couple years — unlike T.F.A.’s recruits — can we hope to raise student learning to the levels necessary for this nation to remain competitive globally. Take a look at the aims articulated by the Partnership for 21st Century Thinking Skills Coalition. If we accept these very ambitious goals for our students, then we’ll need to raise the bar — not lower it by accepting individuals with bachelor’s degrees and an abbreviated boot-camp experience of professional preparation — in order to produce teachers who stimulate higher levels of learning in all our nation’s children.

Notes