This study examines the demographic, academic, social, and behavioral differences between GED (General Educational Development) candidates who were and were not retained in grade. Differences between candidates who were and were not retained in grade are examined with regard to factors such as demographics, delinquent behaviors, reasons for…

With children's early years increasingly recognized as a critical time for learning, more policymakers see a four-year college degree as a necessity for teachers in preschool programs receiving state and federal money. Many state-financed preschool programs require teachers to have four-year degrees. As federal lawmakers debate renewing the Head…

While most counselor education programs offer training or coursework in multicultural counseling at the pre-service level, it is unclear to what extent school counselors continue to pursue professional development in multicultural counseling after obtaining state certification or licensure. This manuscript presents a discussion on the state…

Job security is a relatively new concept in the ancient field of teaching art. Historically artists have created, and been judged on, their own credentials--that is, their art. The master of fine-arts (M.F.A.) degree, often described as a "terminal degree," or the endpoint in an artist's formal education, has long been sufficient for artists…

This article describes an incident involving twelve teachers at Anhui Haozhou Normal Junior College who used purchased dissertations to apply for professional titles over three consecutive years. Academic corruption is not merely today's problem, and the academic corruption at the institutions of higher learning that the author discloses in this…

This paper examines how the personal qualifications required to practice art therapy can be integrated into the American Art Therapy Association Education Standards. A review of current and historical documents demonstrates the importance of personal qualifications of art therapists. The author proposes a link between education standards and…

Research Findings: This study is intended to widen the debate around the bachelor's degree (BA) as preparation for early childhood teaching when head teachers possess various levels of credentials and education. We examined classroom quality and teacher involvement in 231 classrooms sponsored by 122 different agencies, staffed and supervised by…

Graduate degrees prostitute the educational process when they are sold to consumers by unaccredited degree/diploma mills as being equivalent to legitimate, bona-fide degrees awarded by accredited graduate schools. This article carefully analyzes the serious problems of bogus degrees and their association with the religious higher education…

This study of teacher staffing issues in the School District of Philadelphia explores the degree to which the district has succeeded in upgrading teachers' professional credentials, recruiting and retaining them, and equitably distributing experienced and credentialed teachers across all types of schools. Since the passage of "No Child Left…

A progress report on the Child Development Associate (CDA) project which is a program for developing a new professional category to assure qualitative staffing of child care programs. Main emphasis of report is placed on development of an assessment instrument for credentialing, based on a set of eleven constructs which are delineated. (ED)

This annual report of the California-based Commission for Teacher Preparation and Licensing, prepared for its second year of operation, covers (a) committee membership; (b) the committee structure; (c) licensing requirements, accomplishments, and plans; (d) membership on the examination advisory panel; (e) approved programs; (f) description,…

The author presents a summary of his own view on the need for certification of research personnel employed by local education agencies and examines the advantages and disadvantages of certifying educational researchers. Certification is considered desirable upon the development of appropriate standards of competency and the establishment of…

This paper presents four recommendations of the Michigan State Board of Education regarding the certification and professional development of Michigan teachers. The proposals are that a) a system of fees be charged for teacher certificates and permits, b) a competency--or performance-based certification system be developed, c) a comprehensive…

Argues that if librarianship is to change its outside perceptions, it must first change its self-perceptions. Three areas in which true professions that demand recognition and respect have established clearly visible ground rules are highlighted: (1) credentials and librarianship as a profession or trade, (2) research, and (3) continuing…

Needing to fill coaching positions without corresponding openings in teaching positions, administrators are forced to hire coaches of varying competencies who do not teach in the building, thereby lessening opportunities for communications. Suggestions for screening, orienting, communicating with and evaluating "off the street" coaches…