Hi Paul,
PS>        The State of Washington is now proposing a teacher testing
  >process in an attempt to weed out teachers who are underqualified in
  >term of their own academics.
Testing? Like how? Actual pencil and paper testing or just a check of
qualifications, etc.?
PS>        I was wondering if anyone has already studied the effectiveness
  >of doing this process? Do students learn better with teachers
  >who have or can complete such a process?  Are these tests effective?
It's a test and therefore is as good or effective as most tests are.

PS>The evidence to suggest that additional teacher testing will
  >improve education is weak.  This process is already performed through
  >most colleges.  These institutions are suppose to use enterance
  >examinations, courses, and in my case, teacher college enterance
  >examinations to screen out candidates.  At Central Washington Unversity
  >- Ellensburg, Wa a student must take an enterance exam before entering
  >that teacher program.
What kind of tests were they? At my university entrance was dependent on
grades, a written English exam - to discover how competent a writer and
thinker you were...we had to give an opinion on an issue, and an
interview. Then of course once we had attained entrance there were the
usual work assignments and practicum evaluations.
I think the problem could come in when you take Additional
Qualifications. I know at my University (York in Toronto) to get your
English Qualifications (to teach High School) you had to take a number
of required courses. However, to get the Additional Qualification the
prerequisites are not as strict/extensive.
There are also teachers who teach and do not have a degree/training in
the subject they are teaching. I know I could have gone into teacher's
college right from highschool - but since I had to stay home at raise
the kiddies later had to go back to school and get a degree (already had
four years of college).
I'm not knocking teachers who do not have a degree. Most of them have
gained experience teaching, etc. that far outweighs a mere "piece of
paper". :)  There are some however......... (even with degrees!) :(
        Speak to you later,
                        Ruth....
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 þ QMPro 1.53 þ If we learn from our mistakes, I'm about due for my PhD.
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