September 1999 Contents Study Questions Value of Teacher Certification Deregulation would put better teachers in schools, say scholars The Clinton-Gore administration's plan to raise the standards for teacher certification wouldn't put better teachers in the classroom but could actually reduce teacher quality, according to an important new report released on July 14 by the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation in cooperation with the Education Leaders Council. These findings are reported in Better Teachers, Better Schools , a 250-page study edited by Marci Kanstoroom, the Foundation's director of research, and Chester E. Finn Jr., a former assistant secretary of education in the Reagan administration. Insist on results, but be flexible about how to get them.
Education school is necessary to give teachers a knowledge base.
National accreditation will improve teacher preparation. There is scant evidence that programs approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education produce superior teachers. National Board Certification identifies superior teachers. An independent review found no evidence that teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards are superior. Peer review is the only way to judge teacher effectiveness.