Reform in Teacher Education

4.1 How is the current reform movement in education changing the teaching profession?

• Stringent standards have been implemented as specified by each state that state what students should know and be able to do. Standardized tests determine grade promotion and graduation. Parent's are offered choices between public and alternative charter schools.

4.2 Describe the major changes in teacher preparation that have resulted from the reform movement in education.

• Teaching programs are being made longer and more rigorous with higher standards for admission. There are higher standards for licensure using teacher competency tests, and experienced teachers are being required to take more rigorous professional-development courses. States and districts are holding teachers accountable for their students' performance in classrooms. 

4.3 What is the Praxis Series, and how does praxis relate to the reform movement?

• The Praxis Series is a series of tests created to test the competency of teachers going into teaching programs and positions. There are three parts of the series:
• Praxis I: Pre-professional Skills Test - Designed to measure basic skills in reading, writing, and math.
• Praxis II: Subject Assessments - Measure teachers' knowledge of the subjects they will teach. Also includes Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) tests to measure professional knowledge in four grade ranges.
• Praxis III: Classroom Performance Assessments - Assess teachers' abilities to plan, instruct, manage, and understand professional responsibilities as well as sensitivity to learners' developmental and cultural differences.
• Praxis is a part of the higher standards being implemented for teachers coming into the teaching profession as a part of the broader reform effort.

4.4 What are the major arguments for and against testing teachers?

• Pros
• Keep unqualified teachers out of classrooms.
• Tests are fair and minimize/eliminate evaluator bias.
• Economical and cost-effective; teacher evaluation holds the support of nearly 80% of the general public.
• Cons
• Tests fail to differentiate between good and bad prospective teachers. Test performance does not equal classroom performance.
• Cutoff scores are based more on demand for new teachers than on minimal competency, and thus they fail to distinguish between qualified and unqualified teacher candidates.
• Penalize cultural minorities and nonnative speakers because they rely on verbal and test-taking skills that may or may not influence teaching effectiveness.