Carnegie's New Prescription for Training Teachers
The Carnegie Corporation of New York is now proposing that colleges and universities model programs for aspiring teachers after medical training programs. In a report entitled "Teaching as a Clinical Profession: A New Challenge for Education," the philanthropic foundation calls for more emphasis on clinical experience and in-school residencies for teachers in training.
Carnegie president Vartan Gregorian says: "My bookshelves are sagging under studies that say the quality of teaching is the most important variable affecting student achievement. This isn't controversial..."
The report is the latest salvo in the foundation's $40 million "Teachers for a New Era" initiative, which is designed to prompt new approaches to educating, training and supporting the next generation of teachers. Thus far, the University of California at Northridge, Bank Street College of Education, Michigan State University and the University of Virginia are participating, with more schools expected to join the effort in the near future.
