Current Status:
This study has been completed.
Duration:
June 2005 – May 2010
Cost:
$1,500,000
Contract Number:
ED-05-CO-0012
Contractor(s):
National Research Council
Contact:
In 2003, Congress mandated that the Institute of Education Sciences contract with the National Research Council to conduct a study of teacher preparation programs in the United States. The study requirements included a synthesis of data and research on traditional undergraduate and graduate education programs as well as alternative certification programs. In addition, the study was to assess the consistency of the program content and requirements with converging scientific evidence in reading and mathematics.
An independent committee of experts synthesized 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.
A report, titled Preparing Teachers: Building Evidence for Sound Policy, was released in April 2010.