Grade colleges on how well they teach teachers? Universities balk

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With fresh credentials in hand, enthusiastic and energetic teachers charge into classrooms hoping to change young lives. But in the first year they often end up feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and unprepared to teach and manage classes.

Now the Obama administration wants to improve teacher training so that newly minted teachers arrive prepared and able to deliver high-quality instruction. Too many teacher credential programs focus on theory, critics say, and devote too little time to instructing teachers on how to teach. And reformers say too many teachers -- 40 percent -- leave the profession in the first five years, in part because they're unable to handle a complex, tough job.

In an unprecedented plan that uses federal dollars as a lure, Uncle Sam would grade education schools and alternative training programs -- partly on how well new teachers' students perform on standardized tests. That could hit hard in California, where one national -- if controversial -- survey has ranked the state's credential programs lower than average.

The federal Department of Education published proposed regulations in December, gathered comment and could issue final rules by midyear.

full: http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_27647925/grade-colleges-how-well-they-teach-teachers-universities