Generalizations in teacher education - Seductive and misleading

The authors contend that the temptation to generalize about the problems an d potential solutions facing teacher education are often simplified to the point of being misleading. Sensible policy decisions based on research find ings require that attention be given to the complex profile of supply and d emand and teacher ability; these issues should be explored in consideration of local demand and specific con tent-area needs. The authors posit that t he academic ability of teachers is not adequately characterized by broad ge neralizations; teachers who achieve licensure in specific con tent areas ap pear to have much stronger academic profiles than those who achieve element ary, physical, and spe cial education licenses. The mere act of raising pas sing standards for teacher licensure tests will not achieve desired effects unless serious attention is given to the recruitment and retention of high ly qualified candidates, with particular emphasis on actions necessary to d evelop a demographically diverse teaching force.