Muleskinner

Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: News

Learning to teach- Erica Smith, elementary education major, works on a tempra paint painting in her Art for the Educator class at UCM. The UCM teacher education program is recognized as one of the best and largest education programs in the state.

Art class- A collage compiled by Erica Smith as part of her Art for the Educator class in the UCM teacher education program.

Makin' Music-Jennifer Bise and Erica Smith, elementary and early childhood education majors, learn how to play and teach the recorder in Music for Elementary Teachers.

Teacher education programs are poorly preparing teachers, according to a recently released study by the Education Schools Project.

The report, "Educating School Teachers," states that ill-prepared teachers are the result of low admission and graduation standards and an outdated vision of what it takes to teach children in today's schools.

Arthur Levine, author of the report, said there is a disagreement between those who believe the art is a profession, like medicine, or a craft, like journalism. The former requires heavy education study before becoming a practitioner. The latter requires more on-the-job experience prior to teaching.

"Teacher education is the Dodge City of the education world," Levine said, "Like the fabled Wild West, it is unruly and chaotic."
Findings from the report show students graduating from teacher education programs without the skills and knowledge they need to be effective teachers.

UCM's teacher education program, recognized as one of the best in the state, said although they were aware the study was being conducted, they were not a part of it.

Richard Sluder, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Services, said UCM has one of the largest and most-reputable teacher education programs in Missouri, ranking among the top schools for producing teachers both in and out of state.

Since 1954, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has accredited the program.

The University's historical roots in teaching go back 135 years, when UCM was primarily a teacher's institution- the University name was even Central Missouri Teacher's College at one time.
The report said a teacher's ability and readiness to instruct was
below average.

However, Sluder said the teacher education program at Central Missouri allows for students to go to schools and student teach in order to gain experience. With Kansas City nearby, UCM students have many opportunities to learn on the job.

"Because of Central Missouri's location, students are very prepared to teach because they can learn in rural, suburban and urban areas," Sluder said.

Also, the program prepares students for technology they will encounter in future classroom settings. Sluder said the school's ability to provide students with the technology needed to teach today's students is very important.

In regards to the report, Sluder said the University is always open to improving the quality of education for future teachers.

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