A new report concludes more must be done to enhance college and university programs which are turning out teachers. Mary Jean Montgomery of Spencer is a member of the Iowa Board of Education and she was chair of the National Association of State Boards of Education study group. Montgomery says they hope the study spurs an overall look at the system that prepares teachers.The study found “loose standards” nationwide for teacher preparation courses, and it calls for more attention to giving would-be teachers a solid background in liberal arts and sciences.Montgomery says the first steps have been taken in Iowa to improve teacher training at the university-level. She says the next step is to focus on the first two years a rookie teacher’s in the classroom.Montgomery says there should be an “induction period” for teachers much like there’s a required “intern period” for graduates of medical school.
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