Well before the examinations grade crisis of 2012, Michael Gove had set out clear intentions for reforming public examinations. Though he claimed to be improving examinations and assessment by replicating practices that took place in high-performing countries and thus improving the ability of the UK economy to "compete", this…

In this article, the authors present a rejoinder to Drs. Boscardin, Mainzer, and Kealy's response to their article "Preparing Special Education Administrators for Inclusion in Diverse, Standards-Based Contexts: Beyond the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium" (ISLLC; Voltz & Collins, 2010).…

Teacher preparation and licensing are constantly under attack from both national and state policy makers. The extraordinary reporting requirements imposed on university-based teacher preparation programs through Title II of the Higher Education Act and the promotion of "alternative routes" to teacher licensure by the federal government…

Examines two interpretations of the purpose of licensure examinations: (1) as predictors of future professional performance, and (2) as measures of critical abilities. Holds that is is difficult to accurately predict professional performance, and, therefore, that licensure exams should be seen primarily as evaluations of certain abilities related…

This article takes issue with recent proposals to eliminate teaching experience as a requirement for principal certification. A principal relies on teaching experience in five areas: (1) employing teachers; (2) supervising instruction; (3) leading and managing teachers; (4) understanding and working with students; and (5) conferring with parents.…

Current teacher certification tests are simplistic, multiple-choice, and context free. They quiz knowledge of terms and laws rather than proving comprehensive understanding of educational theory and practice. Such tests are effective neither in selecting good teachers nor in establishing a broad and realistic professional knowledge base. (LHW)

Suggests that certification can help ensure a solid future for information technology (IT). Describes IT certification as the attainment of expertise in a particular field of information technology such as computer hardware and software. Looks at certification offered by Novel, Microsoft, and Cisco. (JOW)

Describes the philosophy and intent of Danish day care services and the means whereby a home is designated an approved day care site. (Author/DB)

Credentialing for psychology in North America will constitute an increasingly important concern in the development of the mental health professions, regardless of specific discipline. This article highlights some major milestones in credentialing in psychology in North America and some of the credentialing issues that health care professionals may…

Focusing on the professional preparation of media personnel who graduate from separate library and media programs, this paper discusses the confusion which has materialized as a result of the new jargon and terminology used to describe media personnel and the implications of joint certification for the two groups. It is argued that school media…

This chapter considers the need for professional certification of instructional developers and describes the work of various organizations in this area. The differences between certification, accreditation, and licensure are examined, and the certification efforts of the Division of Instructional Development (DID) of the Association for…

Voluntarism, historically a fundamental principle and characteristic of adult education, is at risk with the development of mandated continuing professional education. Education is mandated by (1) direct regulation in state licensure laws; (2) indirect regulation through professional membership, employment requirements, and specialized…

Three British outdoor educators point out that the push to license the outdoor industry now means that paper qualifications are favored over experience, thus increasing risk; argue that riskless adventure is impossible and pointless; and suggest returning to the real outdoors, rather than attempting to develop watered-down, imitation adventure…

Issues to be resolved in the professionalization of adult education include (1) identification and quantification of practitioners and programs; (2) identification of professional competencies and practice standards; and (3) certification--whether, how, and by whom. (SK)

This article summarizes the development process and context for understanding and using the Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) knowledge and skills standards for the preparation and certification of educational diagnosticians, approved by the CEC Professional Standards and Practice Committee in December 1997. The complete set of standards…