Teaching as a Profession: The Reform Agenda for Teacher Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Three broad areas of recommendations in the teacher education reform agenda are addressed in this paper. These areas are preparation and continuing education of teachers, the conditions of teaching in the schools, and the requirements of teacher certification and licensure. The reform recommendations are aimed at: (1) the professional status of teachers; (2) the intellectual requirements of teacher education; (3) the relation of teacher education programs to ongoing elementary and secondary schools; (4) the continuing education of teachers; (5) standards, certification, and licensure of teachers; (6) the working conditions of teaching; (7) differentiated roles and rewards for teachers; and (8) the social composition of the teaching force. Each recommendation is discussed in the light of what is expected of teachers, what teachers expect, how the recommendation relates to the education of teachers, and how the recommendation can best be effected. (JD)