Financial Responsibilities are Sometimes Prohibitive for Prospective Teachers
Not only does it take a lot of time to become a teacher, but it can also be quite expensive. College itself is a costly enterprise for most individuals, but when adding in expenses for student teaching, buying classroom supplies, as well as certification and teacher proficiency tests, many prospective educators must make major sacrifices. There has been a debate for years, which will likely continue…
What is Contributing to Our Nation’s Teacher Shortage, Particularly in High-Poverty Schools?
Teacher shortages are felt in both urban and rural districts across the U.S., but according to a study by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the impact is unevenly distributed along socioeconomic lines. Schools that are in high-poverty areas have a bigger problem with attracting certified teachers with experience in the subject(s) they teach. This problem undermines teacher effectiveness, threatens the students’ ability to learn, and leads…
Are Teachers Adequately Prepared to Teach Exceptional Children?
It is a rare elementary classroom, including those in the private sector, where all 15-30 students are of average capability. While the majority do fall within standard parameters, there are those who are both above and below that spectrum, whether due to learning disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders, emotional issues, or extraordinary intelligence that exceeds that of their peers. Educators need to have…
How More Teachers Can Pass Licensing Exams the First Time
Although prospective teachers work diligently in their teacher prep programs, more still needs to be done to prepare them for their first teaching assignment in a real-life classroom of their own. A National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) report published earlier this year states that over half of elementary teacher candidates do not pass licensing tests due to insufficient preparation in college coursework. Expanding the teacher…
MTEL Comm & Lit – Passing the Summary Exercise with Fidelity
Passing the Summary Exercise: Fidelity Communication and Literacy Skills Test On the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Test, candidates are asked to complete a summary exercise. In this article, I will share the most common errors I see and tips for making a solid score on the fidelity performance characteristic. A summary with fidelity gives a fair picture of the original. Common synonyms of fidelity are…
MTEL Comm & Lit – Finding the Purpose and Meaning of Text
You will need to be highly capable in navigating complexities in written text to pass the MTEL Communications and Literacy Skills Test. At the heart of every piece of writing is a message, either stated or unstated. Readers who can identify the author’s purpose, point of view, and audience (Objective 3) are best equipped to get at the “real” meaning. On licensure tests, time is also…