Illinois teachers are above the national average in their credentials, but below average in job preparation and professional development, according to an October 1997 report by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future. The report, based on data gathered between 1994 and 1997, compares indicators of teaching quality in all 50 states. Here’s a sample.
Unqualified hires: Percentage of newly hired teachers who aren’t licensed in the subjects they teach.
National average Illinois
8% 7%
Well-qualified teachers: Percentage of public high school teachers in English, math, science and social studies who hold full state certification and a college major in the subjects they teach.
National average Illinois
72% 73%
Out-of-field teachers: Percentage of public high school teachers without a college minor or major in math who taught one or more math classes.
National average Illinois
28% 22%
Professional accreditation: Percentage of state teacher education institutions that are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.
National average Illinois
40% 31%
Student teaching: The number of required weeks of student teaching for those seeking state certification.
National average Illinois
19 8
The commission is working with 12 states, including Illinois, to address the link between better student performance and a systemwide commitment to teacher development.
For a copy of the commission’s report ($15), call (888) 492-1241. The commission’s web site is: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/~teachcomm.