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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

While they’re still in training, intern teachers are not yet highly qualified | Thoughts on Public Education

While they’re still in training, intern teachers are not yet highly qualified | Thoughts on Public Education

While they’re still in training, intern teachers are not yet highly qualified

By Beverly Young

The recent posting “Alternate Route, Same Destination” by Catherine Kearney presents one perspective on the recent congressional action to reestablish California’s teachers who are still in training through an alternative program of preparation as “highly qualified.” This distinction is not merely one of words; the congressional action allows the continuance of California’s strange definition of these teachers: They are considered to be “highly qualified” in their profession before they are actually “fully qualified” and have completed initial preparation for their profession. Although I have worked with Ms. Kearney and truly respect her dedication to her work, I would like to point out several disagreements with her perspective as well as some factual errors regarding these programs and the congressiona