Teacher Training
The Detroit News reports today (10/13) that the Michigan State Board of Education and Superintendent Flanagan are working on reforming teacher training programs. Some of the changes being reported:
- Align teacher preparation programs with the needs of the teacher workforce and global economy.
- All teacher preparation programs be nationally accredited to ensure quality (and save Michigan money on state oversight).
- The teacher certification process will include a demonstration of actual teaching skills.
- Integrating a performance assessment into the teacher certification system.
I imagine that a portfolio system is in the works. The National Middle School Association has a series of standards based on knowledge, performance, and disposition that are very close to the NCATE standards.
July 15, 2009 @ 8:51 am
The impression I got from the article is that this demonstration would occur in addition to the student teaching process done at the university level. Similar to the interview process where a candidate would teach a sample lesson to observers to help them make their hiring decision.