a degree in teaching should not be required to teach a subject!
the only requirement should be a understanding of the subject high enough to teach it.
as a software engineer im certainly qualified to teach many of the computer languages i know. but this teachers union wants to make it illegal for me to teach. and instead let its teachers teach the computer languages.
but on the other hand if the teachers had my knowledge of computers they would probably be out making $50 to $100 an hour programming computers instead of making a measly $35,000 per year.
sunday, November 7, 1999
Teachers union urges Credentials crackdown
Washington Post
In the face of teacher shortages, many urban districts have resorted to issuing emergency, temporary or alternative teaching certificates - to college graduates who have not completed the requited education coursework or passed a state license ing exam. School officials in California and elsewhere have also bypassed normal rules in hiring additional teachers to reduce class sizes.
Bob Chase, president of the National Education Association, said that the nation has more than enough people who are fully qualified to teach, but many have abandoned the profession because of low salaries, which average $35,000 nationally. He predicted that insisting on the required credentials would create market pressures to raise salaries and would also put better teachers in the classroom, helping lift student achievement.
"Let's have a fully prepared, qualified teacher in every classroom. No waivers. No exceptions. No excuses," Chase said last week at a news conference.
Later, in response to questions, Chase did leave open one exception: New teachers who agree -to intense supervision and mentoring with a proviso that they meet state standards for certification within a few years.