Teacher Preparation, Qualifications, and Demand. Working Papers.

Overview & Synopsis

Three assessment issues have emerged from the amendments to the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act and literature surrounding recent calls for reform in teacher education: teacher preparation, teacher qualifications, and teacher demand, including the extent to which demand is being met. Preparation issues include the following: What is the optimum mix of preparation studies and experiences for vocational teachers? What specific preparation must be provided to prepare vocational teachers for their new roles in education, such as integrating academic and vocational curricula? and What types of continuing education are needed by practicing teachers? In the area of qualifications, issues are as follows: To what extent do teacher qualifications differ from preparation? and To what extent is occupational experience an asset or a liability to vocational teaching? Teacher demand issues are the following: What demand for vocational teachers exists? How many teachers are available to fill the demand? and Is vocational demand switching from secondary to postsecondary teaching? Data sources available for study of these issues include materials from the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, "A National Database on Vocational Teacher Education," schools and staffing surveys of the National Center for Educational Statistics, yearly surveys of agricultural education, and "Industrial Education" magazine. (32 references) (KC)