Uncertified Teachers
Composition 2
DeeAnn Nevland
10/16/2001
Thesis
“Is an uncertified teacher with a piece of chalk
really as dangerous as an unlicensed
physician wielding with a scalpel?” (Flake,
1998). Well, think of it this way, what if an
uncertified teacher taught that surgeon?
Would you still want to go to that surgeon?
Uncertified teachers are hurting the children
of tomorrow. We need to change our
policies, so that we can make getting
qualified to teach a priority again.
Taking the Test
Most teachers that are uncertified
have a degree; just haven’t taken
the test to become certified.(Smith, 33)
HOWEVER
Most of the teachers that have
taken the test, failed the basic
skills portion!!! And a national
study shows this has a strong
correlation with their
classroom performance.
(Classroom Skills Strong Factor in
National Teacher Exam, 2001)
Taking the Test Con’t
Most of the teachers that have
taken the test, failed the basic
skills portion!!! And a national
study shows this has a strong
correlation with their
classroom performance.
(Classroom Skills Strong Factor in
National Teacher Exam, 2001)
Arguments FOR NonCertified Teachers
Many people argue that there are bright
people that can teach something
without having to go to school and take
the certification test. But some that did
go to school, are not knowledgeable
enough yet, so how can we expect
those that didn’t even go to school be
knowledgeable enough to teach?(Flake,
1998)
Statistics
6.4 % of the teaching force is uncertified in
Chicago.(Cella, 2001)
4.8 % of the public schools are using
emergency permits so they can teach while
working toward certification in Texas.(Chester,
Manno, Vanourek, 370-373)
30 % of the teachers are teaching out of their
profession in Texas.(Taylor, 54-55)
Conclusion
The reality is that the number of
uncertified teachers, teaching our
youngsters, has grown and will only
continue to grow. We need to put an
end to this. How can we make excuses
for teachers that get lower grades on
the basic skills test then the students
they teach? Uncertified teachers are
hurting our children of tomorrow.
Bibliography
Cella, Lisa. “Field Facts”. Recruiting New
Teachers, Inc. Nov. 3, 200
http://www.rnt.org/facts/
Fin, Chester E., Manno, Brunno V., Vanourek,
Greg. “Charter Schools in Action: Renewing
Public Education. American Journel of
Education. University of Chicago. 2001. Pg.
370-373.
Bibliography Con’t
Flake, Jeffry. Teachers:Does Cerified
Mean Qualified?” Goldwater Institute.
Oct. 26, 1998.
http://www.osba.org/Irelatns/classrm.htm
OSBA. Classroom Skills stronger in National
Teacher Exam. 2001
http://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/perspective
s/1998/9837.htm
Bibliography Con’t
Smith, John. “Inferiority Complex.”
Training. Oct. 2001. Pg. 33.