To avoid treating or paying teachers as professionals, our society and its educational system have willingly accepted mediocrity. Moving toward a new vision of teaching, this article proposes the integration of three policy mechanisms (accreditation, licensing, and advanced certification) producing three types of teachers: instructors (college…

The time is right, it is argued, for the professionalization of teaching, with teachers controlling the certification process. Also recommended is a four-year degree followed by a one-year masters program and a one-year school-based internship. Implications of the professionalization of teaching are discussed. (MT)

Lists 10 premises affecting the future of teaching, including trends toward teacher shortages, declining entry standards, unattractive salaries and working conditions, and standardized curricula. Presents three scenarios: business-as-usual, two-tiered (permanent senior teacher cadres instructing temporary teachers), and a professional scenario…

For the past decade, the teaching profession has been building a system of quality assurance incorporating seven elements: advanced certification, licensing standards, curriculum standards, alignment, accreditation, professional-development schools, and state standards boards. NCATE-accredited institutions produce more qualified teachers than…

Until recently, the teaching profession has lacked "official" accreditation standards. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) has developed rigorous standards that have been adopted by about 500 institutions offering teacher education. NCATE-accredited institutions are held accountable for subject matter,…

This article outlines a teacher preparation scheme which includes a liberal arts degree, a year of graduate school emphasizing pedagogical and professional knowledge, and a one-year supervised internship. Reactions to this plan are described, as are alternative plans, some of which are seen as impediments to professionalization of teaching. (IAH)

An educator describes what our education system could look like in the next century if policymakers, teachers, and teacher educators committed to it. Strategies for achieving this vision through teacher education are discussed, and two policy recommendations are made: accreditation of all schools of education and their graduates, and minimum…

Policies directed at improving the educational system are often based upon a rationalistic view of the processes of teaching and schooling. The courts and other branches of government are devoting more attention to regulating schooling. As the rights of students have been articulated through litigation and legislation, the duties of schools have…