I agree that a LOT of teachers aren't up to par, especially a lot of the young ones. Unfortunately, the teacher training programs teach a lot of "perfect world" stuff and not practical stuff that the teachers actually need. As a result, they are in shock when they get out into the real classroom and on their own.
The Praxis tests are the tests which most states accept in order to grant certification. (It's interesting to see which states have the higher minimum scores needed to pass and which have the lowest standards!) Anyway, these tests don't evaluate how a teacher performs in the classroom, just that they know the content. So...teachers study the content for the test and may pass, but that doesn't translate into quality teaching.
Newer teachers need to be given an opportunity to try their hand in the classroom, get some experience, and be mentored by a quality, experienced teacher throughout the process. These teachers need to spend time in the classrooms of great teachers to get ideas and learn what works and what doesn't then take these ideas back to their own classroom and try them out.
Unfortunately, most school systems don't provide newer teachers w/ this opportunity and just show the teacher their room and wish them luck. As a result, many flounder, do a sub-par job w/ the kids, and are frustrated w/ the entire profession. Its such a shame that the kids are the ones that suffer the most from this!
The Praxis tests are the tests which most states accept in order to grant certification. (It's interesting to see which states have the higher minimum scores needed to pass and which have the lowest standards!) Anyway, these tests don't evaluate how a teacher performs in the classroom, just that they know the content. So...teachers study the content for the test and may pass, but that doesn't translate into quality teaching.
Newer teachers need to be given an opportunity to try their hand in the classroom, get some experience, and be mentored by a quality, experienced teacher throughout the process. These teachers need to spend time in the classrooms of great teachers to get ideas and learn what works and what doesn't then take these ideas back to their own classroom and try them out.
Unfortunately, most school systems don't provide newer teachers w/ this opportunity and just show the teacher their room and wish them luck. As a result, many flounder, do a sub-par job w/ the kids, and are frustrated w/ the entire profession. Its such a shame that the kids are the ones that suffer the most from this!