The BEST teachers, who studied the "Subject Matter," (English, History, Mathematics, Geography) were SUMMARILY REJECTED from "Teaching" because they didn't have the "Requisite 'Education Credits.'"
Our Problem Is--That the "Teacher's College Graduates" are WOEFULLY IGNORANT of the "Subject Matter;" AND The Students KNOW THIS!!
Our Students NEED an ENGLISH PROFESSOR to teach them--NOT a Generic "Educator," who doesn't know Shaw from Shakespeare!!
"Education Theory" Be Damned--Students ALWAYS "Learn Better" from an Individual who Loves his Subject Matter, than fom an "Education Technocrat"(Taught HOW to "Teach,"-But NOT WHAT to Teach!)
"Teachers' Colleges" have been a FLAMING DISASTER!!
"English" should be taught by "English Majors;" "History" should be taught by "History Majors; "Math" should be taught by "Math Majors!"
"Teacher's Colleges" should offer Supplemental Courses in "Education Theory" for Educators who feel they are having a problem "Getting Through to" refractory Students.
ALL the "Theory" in the World will NOT allow you to teach a Subject that you DON'T KNOW!!
HOW, on Earth, did we Forget this simple Fact??
Doc
While agree that teaching classes can be a waste of time, I don't think that teacher's colleges are all a waste of time. Most of the state schools in PA were teacher's colleges and before that, they were normal schools. PA had one of the most extensive state college systems in the country, when I was in school there.
I think that the real culprit in the public school system is the teachers' union. The quality of public school education is inversely proportionate to the growth of the NEA. I have a proposal for year around schools, with two tiers of teachers, a professional level and a union level. The professional level would not require teaching credentials, but would have other requirements and would work a professional year around schedule. Of course the professionals would get paid more than the union level.