Caden Mills
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
The report from the National Council on Teacher Quality looks at more than 700 elementary teacher prep programs across the U.S.
and finds only about half prepare educators to teach according to the science of reading.
And very few programs adequately equip teachers to teach reading to English language learners, who make up a growing share of students.
Federal testing shows a majority of students struggle to read at grade level.
Lacking most in teacher prep programs is instruction on how to teach students to distinguish different sounds and recognize what letters they go with, according to the report.
The report also notes programs may be hiding from accountability by not participating in the review.
Most programs that opted out had previously received failing scores.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities made standardized tests like the SAT and ACT optional.
Today, there are more than 2,000 institutions that don't require applicants to send in their scores.
That includes the sprawling University of California system.
But STEM faculty at those California universities are urging the school to readopt testing requirements and faculty oversight to address widening gaps in students' math proficiency.
One report from UC Berkeley found nearly one-third of first-year calculus students were severely underprepared.
Faculty in the letter say, quote, failing to measure preparation gaps does not remove barriers.
It moves them into the classroom where they become harder to overcome.
The new law will go into effect on July 1st, requiring school districts to adopt their own policies prohibiting the use of cell phones during the school day.
Like several other states, Oklahoma piloted a temporary one-year ban for the recent school year.
High school senior Ethan Atkerson thinks banning cell phones has been a good thing.