Posted on 07/05/2018 12:59:40 PM PDT by simpson96
Prospective Michigan teachers won't have to take the SAT anymore to be certified in Michigan, a move that might help attract more teachers to the profession and help districts struggling with classroom vacancies.
The SAT has been the basic skills exam teachers have had to take since last year, but Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation last week eliminating the Michigan law that requires a basic skills exam in the first place.
"The basic skills test ... is not a strong indicator of how successful a teacher will be," said Sen. Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy, who sponsored the legislation, which passed the Michigan Legislature earlier this month. The law received widespread bipartisan support when it was before lawmakers, and goes into effect Sept. 25.
Knollenberg, the vice chair of the Senate Education Committee, said the panel has heard repeatedly about how difficult it is to get people to enter the teaching profession.
"To me, the good teachers — they're inspired and have passion. Why should they be burdened with a test that isn't relevant to the subject matter they teach? It's a test. It doesn't measure enthusiasm. It doesn't measure passion. It doesn't measure competency in the subject matter."
(snip)
Kate Walsh, president of the Washington, D.C.-based National Council on Teacher Quality, criticized the decision Friday. She said she doesn't have a problem with eliminating the SAT since it's not a basic skills exam.
But, "you do need to assess if candidates have basic skills. Can they read and write and are they mathematically literate? There should be some entry standard that’s objective," Walsh said.
"It allows programs to admit people who are wholly unqualified, and who will never be able to pass the subject matter exams."
(Excerpt) Read more at wzzm13.com ...
You know it. I hope that after the midterms Trump makes school reforms a top priority. I think they are slow walking this until November.
Dunno, my experience was similar.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.