Study finds problems with many teacher education programs in Texas
07:35 AM CDT on Friday, April 30, 2010
A new study found that some teacher education programs at Texas universities have major weaknesses and are not adequately preparing teachers for the classroom.
The National Council on Teacher Quality, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., examined 67 undergraduate programs in the state.
"I'd say the picture is not a very happy one," said NCTQ president Kate Walsh. "I would not say Texas is unique in this problem, but overall, the quality is weak."
Walsh added that schools have no consensus on what qualifies a prepared teacher.
The study found wide variation among schools on courses required for teachers, including the number and quality of classes dedicated to how to teach math and reading.
It also found that teachers are often poorly prepared in their content areas. For example, high school science and social studies teachers are not being as well prepared as teachers in other subject areas, the study said.
A number of teachers' colleges disagree with the findings.
Michael Rosato, the president of the Texas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and dean of the education school at Howard Payne