Does Credentialing Produce Effective Teachers? :: Education Educational Essays

Does Credentialing Produce Effective Teachers? Controversy regarding the relationship between the competence of teachers and the performance of their students causes some people to believe that the qualifications of teachers have no direct effect on their ability to teach efficiently. Others believe that poor student performance is directly caused by the teacher's lack of preparation. Thus the question: is teachers’ lack of preparation contributing to poor student performance on standardized achievement tests? This review contains information regarding teacher credentialing: what is a teacher credential, how is a multiple-subject credential obtained in California, emergency credentials, teacher credentialing is related to student performance, and teacher credentialing is not related to student performance. What is a teaching credential? Teacher credentialing is a process in which teachers become recognized by the state as competent and professional in teaching. There are many different types of credentials, a primary one being a multiple subject credential. According to Dr. Ruth Norton, a professor of education at Cal State San Bernardino, a multiple subject credential allows a teacher to teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom in grades K-12. In California, the multiple subject credential generally applies to grades K-6 because of the structure of the school systems; grades 7-12 generally emphasize single-subject credentials. How is a multiple subject credential obtained in California? In speaking with Jason Moore, an advisor at CSUSB PALS office, to obtain a multiple subject credential in California it is required to have a baccalaureate degree from a four-year university, passed the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) during their junior or senior year, and participate in a fifth year credential program. Currently, in the extended credential program, the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA) test is required and as of September 2000, the Math Instruction Competency Assessment (MICA) will also be required. It should be noted that California is the only state that requires the fifth year credential program. In addition, the state of California has a list of competencies of what every teacher should possess to be effective: creating and maintaining effective environments, planning instruction and designing a learning experience for all students, engaging and supporting all students in learning, understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning, assessing student learning, and developing as a professional educator. Emergency Credentials