The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Bernard
The “highly qualified” teacher requirements defined by the No Child Left Behind Act have, like so many parts of NCLB, come under serious scrutiny. Though some people say the current requirements prevent many qualified individuals from joining or staying in the profession, others contend that they don’t do much to ensure that all students have effective teachers.
One of the current proposals for NCLB revision, the All Students Can Achieve Act of 2007, suggests teacher quality should be measured by the educator’s effect on student achievement, rather than by credentials alone. If you had to rewrite NCLB’s requirements for teacher quality, what would you include? Tell us what you think.
Teaching is an art. It
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 4, 2008 - 13:12.
Teaching is an art. It requires creativity, sensitivity, and, yes, academic credentials. It is a real problem when people try to identify "highly qualified" teachers. This often becomes a popularity contest based on factors that have nothing to do with teaching ability, such as good legs, big boobs (winks), or an easy grading policy.
Highly Qualified Teacher
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 13, 2007 - 06:30.
A highly qualified teacher is one that has a subject area degree and has been certified by the state where they teach. Additionally they should be periodically evaluated to insure they implement the recommended local curriculum. They should also be required to pursue relevant professional development annually.
It's not just teaching!!!
Submitted by Sherry H. (not verified) on December 12, 2007 - 20:45.
How can one define a highly qualified teacher when a great teacher doesn't teach!!! She(he) leads the students through the process of learning the skills and knowledge they will need in their lives. She also counsels those students who may be struggling with personal issues affecting her desire or ability to process information. She coaches students who feel ignorant or undeserving of an education. She nurses the hypochondriacs in such a way that their illnesses disappear by Thanksgiving. She ensures the feeling of security within her students when they answer incorrectly, or perform poorly on a particular assignment. She clearly sets boundaries in the classroom where students understand what is expected of them each and every day. She is always honest with her students, and she praises them for their successes. She looks for the positive--the good in every situation. However, her students understand when they have disappointed her in behavior or academics. She guides the students in learning. She DOES NOT teach to the test!!!!!! She DOES NOT "stop teaching" one month before the test to "review." She sets expectations for her students and herself, and she expects everyone to meet them! This is a highly qualified teacher!
Highly Qualified
Submitted by Cathy (not verified) on December 12, 2007 - 13:34.
I think highly qualified should be based on the performance successes of the teacher. (I.e., Can the teacher facilitate a deep discussion with students that has the potential to internalize learning? Can he or she challenge a student to take risks and do things out of their comfort zone? Does the teacher partner with local community members to expose students to how and what they are teaching as it relates to their life both now and in their future career choices? Do they bring real world problems to solve within their classroom? Does the teacher recognize and validate the different ways students are smart? Does the teacher use technological tools to reach the students where they are rather than where the comfort zone of the teacher is? Can the teacher be the learner in their classroom, as well as the facilitator? (and not a sage on the stage). Teachers like this focus on learning rather than teaching and are in my mind highly qualified whatever degree they might hold because they create an environment that engages students to learn.
www.FrankWithrow.com
Submitted by Frank Withrow (not verified) on December 12, 2007 - 12:42.
For years I hired and supervised teachers. The final determining point became would I like to invite this person to my home for dinner? Would they relate to my wife and children and would we have an interesting conversation at the dinner table. Their certification, subject matter competence can all be measured, but the final question is will they engage and inspire students. That takes a person that is comfortable and exciting to be around. I have visited many schools across the country. I believe that if you ask teachers and students who are the best teachers in their school they know and will tell you. They may not know why but they know that Ms. Snodgrass is the best or Mr. Thigpen has their interest at heart. The learners will often say Mr. Bien is hard but I like his class because I learn so much and he is interested in me.
Highly qualified teachers are those who can engage and inspire learners to be their very best.
Highly Qualified
Submitted by M. Chase (not verified) on September 27, 2007 - 20:07.
I don't think that having a degree makes a person highly qualified. I know teachers who are considered highly qualified, but I would not want to put my child in their classroom. I am currently taking a college class in which we are discussing qualifications of expert teachers. I have not read anything that says expert teachers drill all year to prepare students for a certain test. Unfortunately, this is what is happening in our school system all too often so that our schools will achieve higher scores and be looked upon favorably. Newspapers give information on which schools "fail" and which schools "pass." I think that our priorities need to be revisited.
What teachers need to do for themselves in the classroom.
Submitted by Percy Thomas (not verified) on September 1, 2007 - 01:32.
Teachers need to first create a vision of success for themselves for each course they teach. Secondly, the teacher must facilitate a vision of student success for each student. After each student has a written vision statement for success, the teacher must facilitate the alignment of each student’s personal vision with the teacher’s vision of success for the course. The key here is that each student will know exactly how the course links to the achievement of their personal vision.
Teachers operating in class without a personal vision of success for themselves in each class are at risk of having a difficult time in motivating students to take the instruction seriously. If the teacher's student does not have a vision for life, and is unable to tie the course material to the achievement of a personal vision or reaching a goal, their students are likely remain largely unmotivated to do their best.
Bottom-line for teachers are to know their personal vision and the vision of each student.
Highly Qualified
Submitted by Mathman (not verified) on August 5, 2007 - 14:00.
I am not sure what highly qualified shoud be. I think content knowledge is obvious. But teaching is really about more than the content and for many teachers it takes time to figure out what works in the classroom.
Ultimately we don't allow enough time for training and time to gain experience. It has taken me 5 years to figure out the teacher in me. And I still worry about how well I'm doing.
Highly Qualified Teachers
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on August 3, 2007 - 07:39.
Our state teacher educators were invited to a workshop on the Praxis Exams, to learn about the exams. I asked the presenter, who worked for the Educational Testing Service, about the validity of the exam scores for assuring that teachers were highly qualified to teach. I asked, "Does a teacher's high score indicate that the teacher is an excellent teacher?" Her response..."The test just measures knowledge and in no way demonstrates competence as a teacher of that knowledge." A test does not make a teacher. Demonstration of skills is only possible in practice, and that measurement must be done locally. Real world.
Highly Qulified Teachers
Submitted by sylvia Arias (not verified) on January 22, 2008 - 21:58.
Tests!!! Do not prove if someone is highly qulified..I know a few people who are in a credential program or who have finished one in the past year. They passed the CSET and RICA in the first try and I wouln't not hire them if I was the Principal.. I feel that all those test companies are just trying to make more money..What does the CSET prove!! Why don't they make every teacher take that test not just the new ones.
Post new comment