Tuesday
October 21, 2008
by desertjim
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) may soon be asking 6th, 7th and 8th grade teachers to gain certificate endorsements indicating that they are highly qualified to teach their specific subjects. According to the Chicago Tribune there may be as many as 5,000 middle-school teachers effected by the new plan. While it is probable that some of the 5,000 middle-school teachers already have the necessary college credits and will therefore meet the new standard, the plan will require many teachers to take additional college courses in math, science or English.
In 2002, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 31% of elementary science teachers and 57% of high school science teachers lack a major or certification in their fields. At Loyola University in Chicago, a science education major requires 21 semester hours of science courses in addition to the 42 semester hours of education courses. The Illinois State Board of Education will currently endorse middle school teachers as “highly qualified” if they hold the proper certification and have passed the elementary/middle grades test or the relevant content area test. Teachers can also be highly qualified if they have completed coursework equivalent to a major, have earned a master’s degree in their field or have achieved National Board certification.
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act does not actually require that middle-school teachers have college majors in their fields. “No Child Left Behind does not require current teachers to return to school or get a degree in every subject they teach to demonstrate that they are highly qualified. The law allows [states] to provide an alternate method… for experienced teachers to demonstrate subject matter competency that recognizes, among other things, the experience, expertise and professional training garnered over time in the profession.” (4)
I understand why CPS would like to have teachers endorsed as “highly qualified”. It’s one more pressure exerted on public education systems by NCLB. Its good that the district is willing to provide grants and interest free loans to pay for the necessary college credit. Nonetheless, college courses are not the only route to better teaching. If NCLB allows for alternative routes to such qualification, shouldn’t they also be explored? Is requiring overworked teachers to go back to university the best way to improve the teaching staff?
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