Teaching Can Be a Profession by Joel Klein
From reading the article, Teaching Our Children Can Be a Profession: Column by Joel Klein, there are many problems that are discussed by Mr. Klein and the appropriate solutions he has are explained. The first problem involves better academic training for prospective teachers. The second problem involves recruiting new teachers. The third problem involves job security and seniority. Lastly, Klein explains the views of a teacher-union leader, Albert Shanker.
The first problem that Klein addresses is that teachers need to be better educated through their academic training. He discusses recent reports have identified that in 23 states, the teacher education programs do not provide solid math preparation or adequate reading instruction. The solution addressed by the NCQT Teacher Prep Review involves applying a new ranking system for preparing teachers. This blows me away because if we do not know curriculum such as these, then why are we going on to teach young minds? Therefore, I agree that teaching programs should be equip with a more challenging curriculum, so pre-teachers are learning everything they must in order to be a better academic leader. I do think a new ranking system would benefit school systems because the teachers would be held accountable for their academic standing.
The next problem is about recruiting new teachers. Klein says that there should be a new approach in "picking" the best teachers. In order to do this, Klein states that teachers should be recruited from the top third of the graduating class. I think that this is a great idea. I don't think it's fair to overlook the top outstanding students, but instead recognize them. I think that if students are top in their graduation class, then through their hand work they deserved to be "recruited" in the teaching field. According to the Washington Post, countries such as Singapore, Finland and South Korea only pick the top third of the graduating class, which is no more than one out of every seven or eight. I agree with the fact of choosing the best and brightest of the graduation class, but perhaps a wider range other than one third should be applied. That way, it wouldn't cut off those who are just under one third and who are still equip at being in a selective program. I do agree that the program should be more selective, but maybe at a ratio of the top one half of the graduation class instead of one third. This way, more people would be recognized for their hard work and not cut off at one third. This scenario has both a positive and a negative view.
The third problem involves job security and seniority dictating our school systems. Klein explains that when a school has layoffs, the most recently hired teacher is laid off instead of the least effective teacher. The solution to this problem is acknowledging all teachers performances. According to Klein, this type of change would be radical but necessary. This type of radical change among school systems would most definitely benefit students, and also improve the status of teachers. I agree with this solution. I think that it would be unfair to layoff a great teacher just because he/she was hired later than another teacher. Teachers should be evaluated by their skills and not by how long they have been in a school system.
A highly known influential teachers-union leader, Albert Shanker, has some intriguing views as well about the education of teachers. Shanker called for a "national teacher examination" and a supervised internship of three years. I think that both of these policies would benefit pre-teachers. I think that all of these solutions would radically change the way people view teachers, and in a positive way. For example, I think that teachers would be viewed as more than just an "elementary teacher," but instead a "powerful educator." Although, this radical change would take time to apply to teaching programs around the States, I think that it would be worth a try.
Overall, this article by Klein was very eye opening and intriguing for me. I think that these issues are very important, and as a future educator, I want teachers to be "professionalized." I think that so many people out in the world think that "anyone" can be a teacher. This is so undermining to people who work so hard to become a great educator. I think that teachers should be better recognized for their knowledge and accomplishments. I hope that one day more people will realize how much hard work pre-teachers put into learning the skills to be a great educator.
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