IP 95-2 Traditional and alternative routes to teacher certification: Issues, assumptions, and misconceptions.
Abstract
States have created "alternate" (i.e., not college-based) routes to teacher certification. Comparison of alternate and college-based programs reveals clear trends in recruitment but a mixed picture regarding development of expertise. Alternate routes can get teachers into hard-to-staff schools and help them learn enough to remain there but seldom prepare teachers to help all students understand subject matter. College-based programs may provide visions of the possible but seldom provide adequate support or models. Improvement of teacher preparation will probably require closer work between school sites and colleges without giving up what either has to offer.