While reading This we Believe in Action this week I found myself focusing on Middle Level Teacher Preparation. I am sometimes amazed at some teacher prep programs and how broad and expansive they can be. I am not trying to speak negatively toward K-8 certification programs, but rather am questioning their effectiveness. Realistically there is a vast difference between a kindergardener and an eighth grader. Are there teacher prep programs out there that can really cover how to effectively teach an age range from 5 to 14 years old? I am a little biased since I graduated from a middle level program, but it does make me wonder, are middle level programs taking seriously? Why are states not finding it to be more of a need to better prepare teachers to instruct at the middle level?
I came across the NMSA's standards on middle level teacher preparation. It is very comprehensive and detailed. I also found the article, May I See Your License, which states only 21 states require a middle level teaching license. That made me wonder, why aren't more states requiring a middle level teaching license? Is it too radical of a change? I remember when the school I attended, Ohio University, switched from offering a K-8 program to a K-5, 4-9, and 7-12 certification program. I believe I was still in high school and wasn't affected by the change. I wish I would have paid more attention to how teachers, schools, and higher education institutions responded to the change. It may be worth looking into for a future report or project.
It is such a good point about the vast amount of differences between a kindergartener and an eighth grader. In elementary education programs, for the most part, teachers are mainly learning about educating the very young. In secondary education programs they a learning to teach young adults. Where do the middle level adolescents fit in here? The honest answer is that they do not. I think specialized teachers who are specifically trained in educating this age group needs to become more prevalent.
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