Ed. Week post (catch up #2)

In the December 1st issue of Ed. Week, the article, “New Vigor Propelling Training” talked about an NCATE study about how best to revamp teacher prep. I am very excited about this one because they are trying to determine if changing the teacher prep to a yearlong apprenticeship would be better and I certainly agree. First of all it would give new teachers a huge benefit to be under the guidance of a veteran teacher for an entire year! What a huge educational experience that would be! New teachers could enter the field with more knowledge and confidence. Also, I know first-hand how hard it is going to be on me financially to not be able to work. I believe it is one of the reasons that some people do not go for an education degree. The amount of time you have to take off from work to do the student teaching, FOR FREE, is tough. If it were set up as a “residency” like doctors, or an apprenticeship and we were actually paid, more “qualified” people would become teachers.