make sure to click the Onion link and read that part, too.

as an alternatively certified teacher, I hope that people understand it isn't five weeks, but rather a lengthy extension past those 5 weeks

I would make the argument that what I "learned" in ed school could have fit into 5 weeks.

The real training and experience can only be found in a real classroom.

my friend just did it, and was highly certified after 5 weeks. She was judged minimally effective on her observations, but when applying to

schools she is still putting her highly qualified status which she earned in 5 weeks.

Most of the ed classes I had to take were skills classes probably covered in any general 4 year degree.

the argument isn't if you are ready to be a teacher, it's if you are highly qualified.

what does highly qualified really mean?

does 5 weeks really give you the time to develop an educational philosophy and feel ready for a classroom? Just points to discuss....

nkrahn: where did you get your degree?

I'm not sure 2 years (the time in the ed program officially) makes you feel "ready".

Emporia State

but a lot more ready than 5 weeks....

Very much so. But I can also take that degree and go take a test and be "highly qualified" in K-12 when my degree and training was only K-5

I wouldn't want to teach high school but $90 and a test later i could be highly qualified to do so. Granted that is on top of the ed degree

did that change recently? They told us to be sure because to teach higher than 9th I was going to have to get another degree.

I guess my problem with such a program is why can't we get "normal" teachers into those buildings? Shouldn't that be addressed first?

also, that still begs the question--does highly qualified mean anything?

No. No it doesn't. Its such a subjective, state to state term that it literally means nothing.

Its a nice label to slap onto your teachers but it doesn't mean anything about their effectiveness or ability as a teacher.

yes! Instead of making it easier, lets make it the profession it should be.

I killed myself to get through college and student teaching while working full time. When I was done I knew it would be hard but that I

wasn't going to be one of those that quit.

But you are awesome. You are someone meant to be a teacher. I have a feeling that even without that training you would be awesome.

I think I needed every single thing I learned to get through that first year with 30 kids in my class.

Would it have been harder? Of course it would have.

The training is great. More usually does equal better.

I think those kids deserved the time I spent. They deserved more actually, but I couldn't zoom ten years into the future unfortunately.

I understand that. I already look back and feel bad for my first group just three years ago. I've learned and feel as though I let them

So, Jim had his Dr as you all know and is short 5 classes and student teaching. If he did this would he be Highly Qualified? He teaches

down. I know I didn't but I feel that way.

Grad classes at 3 Universities/colleges

Should say "I've learn a lot since then". Stupid fingers.

sorry fifer1863 had to ask love ya

I think we must all feel that way Nick. It's frustrating at the time too, because I realized my shortcomings. Lack of experience!

Which I guess is why I can see the issue with the program but also the advantage of them.

at my college, we were in the classroom right away. I had two years of observations, small group teaching, and one on one tutoring at every

elementary level.

not the same as my own classroom and planning all subjects but it definitely helped a LOT.

I'm sure it helps me see past their issues when I see "highly qualified" as a joke term. Kind of like every child being "proficient"

yeah. So much of NCLB is a joke.

NCLB is where the term highly qualified comes from.

yep

nkrahn I HATE that "proficient" it needs to leave the report card!

my friend is thinking about going back for her degree. I really hope she does. College can be hell, but I think it would give her a much

better teaching experience. She has gone through so many careers...

right now her applications are to inner city Memphis schools. She'll need lots of prayers if she gets hired.

I think she would be an incredible teacher and I hate for her to start with a chip on her shoulder and not feel ready.

that "minimally effective" rating from TFA really rattled her. They refused to place her. But I think with a little more time to develop

and learn she would kick some booty and really love it.