Explored principals' role in building teacher capacity, identifying 134 Texas principals' perceptions of teachers' capacities, assessment methods, and capacity-building strategies. Most respondents perceived that traditionally certified teachers in their second year of teaching had greater capacity and working knowledge than second-year…

Explores the perspective that teacher education programs should assess their effectiveness on how well they nurture beliefs that are consistent with their philosophy of learning and teaching study. Reports on a study with preservice elementary teachers participating in an alternative certification program for teaching in an urban setting.…

Alternative certification programs in Texas, Georgia, and Florida are less rigorous and do not emphasize teaching knowledge and experience. Such programs purport to solve teacher shortages and address quality concerns but may exacerbate the latter. (SK)

This article describes four myths about teacher quality commonly associated with the 2001 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. Myth 1 explores the hypothesis that generating an endless supply of new teachers to solve the teacher shortage is the best way to alleviate any real teacher shortage. Myth 2 tackles the assertion that academic ability…

Since 1990, the privately organized Teach For America has deployed more than 10,000 graduates to disadvantaged schools plagued by teacher shortages. The recruits take part in five-week summer institutes that include four weeks of student teaching. Because states have begun stepping up their requirements for Teach For America participants, most…

This article describes collaborative efforts to frame university teacher preparation program activities within transfer of learning and transformative learning theories to promote teacher leadership. Specifically, we describe (a) a community sponsored, public school, campus-based experience during an introductory teacher preparation course; (b) a…

Drawing on his nearly 30 years as a university teacher educator, the author reflects about the future of college- and university-based teacher education in the United States in light of recent attacks on education schools. The author argues that university and college teacher educators should do four things: (a) work to redefine the debate about…

Recruiting Educators through Alternative Licensure (Project REAL) is funded through the Transition to Teaching grant initiative. Project REAL is designed to enable university faculty and classroom teachers to work collaboratively within a professional development school model in order to provide secondary pre-service teachers with a high quality,…

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards[R] (NBPTS) has always welcomed scrutiny of the National Board Certification[R] process and the impact that National Board Certified Teachers[R] (NBCTs) have on teaching and learning. As a result, in the 20 years since NBPTS was founded, National Board Certification has become one of the most…

While nearly all states now have something on their books labeled "alternate route to certification," these programs defy standard definition due to their enormous variability. States differ in the types of candidates allowed to apply (e.g., career changers or recent college graduates) and in the academic backgrounds these individuals must…

New demands and high attrition levels of special education teachers have created a crisis for education and extensive additional stress for special education directors and principals. The critical shortage of highly qualified special education teachers has significantly increased the pressure to hire and retain them. This article discusses factors…

This Digest discusses engagement in alternative preparation to acquire a license to teach in U.S. public schools. Prospective teachers seek alternative programs for many reasons, including job change due to forced retirement or lack of interest; desire to contribute to society's wellbeing; and desire to use teaching skills learned elsewhere.…

To address concerns over teacher shortages, many states have begun to turn to alternative certification programs. Today, 115 programs exist in over 40 states, and more than 250 colleges and universities are currently involved in some type of alternative preparation. This policy brief examines what alternative certification is, discusses different…

This report asserts that paraprofessionals are one possible solution to the problem of finding new teachers and keeping them. It focuses on paraprofessionals who work as assistants to teachers and whose duties are performed in the classroom. Paraprofessionals face many challenges to obtaining certification, including balancing family life with…

This paper describes an initiative designed to address the various problems that paraprofessional school personnel face in becoming certified teachers. Personnel directors from the Amarillo Independent School District, Texas, met with college personnel to discuss problems in helping teaching aides become certified in shortage areas. They…