Improving Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs in Georgia. Recommendations of the External Review Committee for the Improvement of Teacher Education in Georgia.

Overview & Synopsis

This report contains 43 recommendations for improving the quality of beginning teachers in Georgia through reform of undergrduate teacher education. The report also addresses issues outside the domain of teacher preparation institutions when these issues affect the pool of beginning teachers. Recommendations concentrate on five major areas of improvement: (1) the teacher candidate pool; (2) accountability in education; (3) institutions offering education in Georgia; (4) quality control for teacher preparation and entrance to the profession; and (5) the relationships of the regents, state board of education, and the trustees of independent colleges and universities in teacher education policymaking. Within the five chapters 21 issue-areas are examined. Recommendations for each area are preceded by a brief description of factors in Georgia and the nation which served as a basis for the proposals. Following each recommendation are comments intended to elaborate on implementation strategies and potential impact. (CB)