Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 02160090
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED267046 AUTHOR: Martin, Dawn Vincent
TITLE: Teacher Testing: I'm O.K., You're O.K., But
Somebody's Not!
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1986
NOTE: 9 p.; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the
Association of Teacher Educators (Atlanta, GA, February 22
26, 1986).
ABSTRACT: Concern about the preparation and competence of
teachers has brought about a rapid spread of teacher
competency assessment programs. Currently, 36 states test or
plan to test teachers prior to certification. Two states,
Arkansas and Texas, are already involved with testing
teachers in service. Teacher competency testing has become
embroiled in state and national politics, and has also
become involved in charges of racism and anti-affirmative
action. Even though teacher shortages promise to become more
severe in the future, several states have exacerbated these
shortages by requiring competency tests for teacher
certification. Furthermore, while the competency tests
produce shortages that result in suboptional instruction for
pupils, they provide no incentive for highly qualified
people to enter or stay in the teaching profession. While
the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National
Education Association (NEA) support, to varying degrees,
teacher competency testing prior to certification, neither
organization supports testing of veteran teachers. Research
indicates that there is no test that can predict who will be
a good teacher. (CB)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Elementary-Secondary-Education; Teacher
Certification; Teacher-Shortage
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Minimum-Competency-Testing; *National
Competency-Tests; *Teacher-Evaluation; *Teacher-Selection
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