A Study Of Teacher Preparation Programs In The United States

Contractor: The National Research Council

Background/Research Questions:

In 2003 Congress mandated that the Institute of Education Sciences contract with the National Research Council to conduct an study of teacher preparation programs in the United States. The study requirements include a synthesis of data and research on traditional undergraduate and graduate education programs as well as alternative certification programs. In addition, the study is to assess the consistency of the program content and requirements with converging scientific evidence in reading and mathematics.

In 2004 Congress requested IES to have the National Research Council conduct a report on the academic preparation and educational experiences of teachers trained through pre-service, graduate, and alternative certification routes. The following are the research questions:

• Who enters teacher preparation programs (pre-service, graduate, and alternative)? What is their academic preparation? What is their educational background?
• What type of instruction and experiences do participants receive in the preparation program? Who delivers it? To what extent is there commonality in content and experiences?
• To what extent is the required course work and experiences in reading and mathematics across teacher preparation programs consistent with converging scientific evidence?

Design:

An independent committee of experts will synthesize data and research on: 1) the academic preparation and educational characteristics of candidates in pre-service, graduate, and alternative certification programs; 2) the specific content and experiences that are provided to candidates for degrees and alternative certification in education; 3) the consistency of the required coursework and experiences in reading and mathematics across teacher preparation programs; and 4) the degree to which the content and experiences are based on converging scientific evidence.

Duration: 42 months (June 2005 - March 2009).

Current Status:

The committee to advise the study was formed in the fall of 2005, and the committee has held a total of six meetings. The first meeting was primarily introductory and addressed such topics as the scope of the study and research and data related issues. In the second meeting, the study committee deliberated about issues related to the scope of the study. The third meeting included open discussion of methodological issues associated in describing preparation programs and describing courses and course outcomes. The fourth meeting included presentations on commissioned analyses of teachers' preparation experiences and the achievement of their students. All other meetings involved closed session panel discussions. The committee has commissioned additional work from the New York City Pathways project to be included in the final report. Report writing by the committee is underway.