Millions In Grants Have Gone to Teacher Preparation. What's Needed Now?
It is well known that one of the keys to a high-quality education system are excellent teachers. Research has consistently identified effective teachers as the most important school-related factor influencing student achievement. Recognizing this, education reform funders have spent many millions of dollars supporting new teacher preparation programs and trying to strengthen existing ones.
A new report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) acknowledges that some changes have taken place, but that much work remains to be done. The report's conclusions are summarized in the title: "America Needs More Teachers of Color and a More Selective Teaching Profession." The report's authors argue that it is critical for the U.S. not only to diversify the ranks of its K-12 teachers, but also to increase the selectivity of teacher preparation programs, most of which are housed in universities.
The report further argues that these goals are not mutually exclusive, countering claims by some that toughening admissions standards for teacher preparation programs will lead to a less diverse teacher workforce, as many students of color score lower on standardized assessments and licensure tests...