A new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) appraises how well 180 teacher training programs in 30 states are preparing candidates to use student learning data. The NCTQ report found:
- Only 21 percent of the programs studied cover literacy topics adequately. (p. 13)
- Less than 1 percent of the programs studied adequately cover analytical skills adequately. (p. 15)
- Less than 2 percent of the programs studied cover instructional decision making adequately. (p. 16)
- NCTQ concluded only 3 percent of the programs studied cover assessment adequately. (p. 18)
NCTQ recommends requiring better preparation of teachers in these areas as a condition for federal Title II funds and stricter state licensing requirements (pp. 21-22).
In early 2013, with U.S. News & World Report, NCTQ will release a comprehensive review of all teacher preparation programs in the United States. To see if programs in your state are participating, click here.