States Must Take Lead on Improving No Child Left Behind

Are we omitting the responsibility of the universities to teach their present and future classroom teachers the pupil performance objectives that these teachers are to teach their students in their classrooms? Teachers are at their best when they know the entire span of skills for their chosen academic area for all grade levels. Broad skill expansion for explanations is then possible for advanced students.

Do the university professors know these range of skills?

Arne Duncan should put as much money as needed to get only the best curriculum academic specialist teachers in the nation to teach teachers, first. Enough of do it yourself! A good teacher will show how skills build.

I think it would be easier for teachers to accept NCLB and Standardized Testing if they had been taught in the university classes the pupil performance objectives for all academic aeas and for all grade levels, for which they intended to be licensed. I wonder if the universities are fully aware of the impact this information would have on the techniques and methods that a teacher uses in the classroom.

It is not too late! Principals need also to know curriculum.

Teachers may be complaining because their training has not been what is now needed. Pay their way to change. Correction needs to be at the university level.

See 'On Education' article, Feb 10, 2010.

Beverly J Hawkins of OH 2:51PM February 10, 2010