The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) should reexamine the criteria for teacher education which it stated in a resolution 10 years ago. It should explore its relationship to trends in the field: they are toward interdepartmental and interagency cooperative planning of teacher education programs; longer preparation periods; shifts in emphasis…

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has no comprehensive policy and philosophy for the certification of teachers. Six issues have most relevance to a more inclusive position: The union should review its resolution regarding certification based on "general education" in light of changes in the professional and academic…

Since many states are currently revising their teacher certification regulations, at least five major issues are raised: (1) evaluation of competencies, (2) differentiated staff, (3) tenure, (4) merit pay, and (5) the related problems of certification levels, obsolescence of skills, renewal certificates, and hence, inservice education. An…

Discusses teacher associations' objections to education voucher systems and performance contracts. (JF)

In response to a nationwide trend toward restructuring the teaching profession and redefining the role of the teacher, this paper suggests a position on developments in these areas. It rejects the idea of establishing hierarchical levels of teacher certification, but considers promising the movement toward vertical or horizontal differentiated…