Licensing tests are not based on whether a candidate has the body of knowledge needed to be an effective teacher. In some states, passing scores are set so low that candidates can pass a subject-matter exam by correctly answering as few as half the test items, and only 5 percent of the candidates fail the test. Even though state-set standards are generally low, states routinely waive them. More than 30 percent of newly hired teachers enter the profession without having fully met state standards for licensure. Teachers are often asked to teach subjects in which they do not have a major or minor.
Statistics understate the problem .
High school teachers have academic majors but are misassigned. Lack of academic majors, however, is a problem in middle schools when teachers are assigned to teach specific content. About 27 percent of middle school teachers majored in general education rather than in an academic area. Many new teachers do not receive the extra support they need in order to succeed. New teacher attrition .