The job description for paraprofessionals is no longer limited to clerical responsibilities (e.g., recordkeeping, copying, cafeteria and bus duty). Paraprofessionals now support instruction and work under the direction and supervision of certified teachers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paraprofessionals provide instructional and…

While it may seem unusual that a person firmly established in a career would choose to take on the challenges of teaching adolescents, when we look at the definitions of middle age and the reasons some people make a career change, we realize that middle school can be a great place for middle-aged mid-career changers. They are returning to the…

This brochure offers answers to questions for teachers about National Board Certification, including: what the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is; what National Board Certification (NBC) is; how involved teachers are in NBPTS; NBPTS' five core propositions; the NBPTS standards; how NBPTS standards are developed; whether…

American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) developed this report to promote greater understanding of underlying teacher education issues, in connection with continuing state-level activity and the pending reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. This paper offers a brief overview of five interrelated topics pertaining to…

This report asks two fundamental questions: do the licenses that states require of school principals encompass the knowledge and skills those principals need to promote student learning? If not, what kind of policy framework would help decision makers, educators, and others rethink principal licenses and the school leadership they support? To find…

This paper analyzes research on accreditation, licensure, and certification standards that have impacted teacher education programs, providing a historical perspective of how and why standards came about in teacher education and examining each of the standards bodies in teacher education: the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education…

This study explored the feasibility of using the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) teacher assessment and certification process as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve professional culture and teaching quality in low-performing schools. Data from surveys of NBPTS California Support Network members were used to…

A national symposium on policy and practice in preparation of teachers for children and youth with disabilities focused on the alignment of three components of teacher preparation: professional teaching standards, licensure of beginning teachers of students with disabilities, and the state approval/accreditation processes for teacher preparation…

This handbook provides information for persons who are preparing to take a test for certification in the plastics industry. The nine sections of the handbook provide information on the following: (1) the mission of the Society of the Plastics Industry and the value of the National Certification in Plastics; (2) tips on preparing for the exam; (3)…

The 13 tables and figures in this report provide summary information about those who took the General Educational Development (GED) Tests in 1996 and the jurisdictions that administer those tests. Most tables summarize information for the United States and Territories, Canada, GED Testing Service, and Program Total. Each table is arranged to…

This document presents excerpts from reports submitted by deans of education of the 17 teacher education institutions in Colorado. The information presented includes number of students recommended for teacher certification in 1993-94 by institution and by endorsement area, and the number of graduates from 1972 to 1994 by endorsement area.…

This report updates preliminary information from a 1998-1999 report, "The Civic Education of American Youth: From State Policies to School District Practices," relating to civics standards and assessments. The report states that the information found on its tables and charts was obtained from the Internet and from telephone interviews…

This report describes a recommended high school program which requires that students take specific courses for graduation, including credits in the core subject areas, in foreign languages, and in other areas. One relevant issue of concern is the availability of certified teachers in specific subject areas. The report focuses on: current course…

A certification program was designed to provide specialized knowledge and skills courses for future public child welfare workers in Kentucky. The program involves 6 hours of course work, delivered via distance education, and an intense practicum in local offices. Incentives for program participation included special consideration for hiring by the…

This study explored the relationship between an increase in the percentage of certified teachers and gains in performance on reading and mathematics achievement tests among New York City Schools Under Registration Review (SURR) elementary and middle schools. It examined whether the percentage of certified teachers related to student outcomes…