Emerging Patterns for Teacher Education and Certification in the South.

Overview & Synopsis

Southern states are introducing one or more of a combination of five approaches to teacher education and certification, all of which are aimed at improving the quality of new teachers. These include: (1) adding test requirements at or near the end of the bachelor's degree teacher education program; (2) lengthening the probationary period for new teachers before state certification is granted; (3) raising admission standards of teacher education programs and/or testing the basic skills of prospective teacher education students; (4) strengthening student teaching experiences; and (5) combining inservice programs with probationary or evaluation periods to assist prospective teachers in correcting deficiencies. New emphasis is being placed on research and development efforts to help design the improvement programs, create competency tests, and inform state leaders if the new approaches are helping to improve the quality of teaching. Increased communication and cooperation between state higher education agencies and boards of education is urged. (Author/JD)