Aug. 6, 2007 - Nearly Half of New Jersey Teacher Candidates Fail Math Test
Prospective teachers in New Jersey have to master reading, writing, and—what was that third thing again?
The arithmetic is not good when it comes to new teacher candidates in the Garden State. Only 58 percent who took the required licensing exam in math in 2005-06 passed it, according to the state Department of Education.
They did better in other areas; 64 percent passed the social studies test and 71 percent passed the English exam.
Now the state Board of Education is considering raising the minimum passing score on tests for new teachers, despite knowing it might cause even more to fail, The Press of Atlantic City reported in Thursday’s newspapers.
“I’ve got to confess, I’m a little uncomfortable,” board member Arnold Hyndman said.
The state requires teacher candidates to pass a standardized test in their subject area before they can be licensed. The Praxis tests can be adapted to each state’s own needs.
“Our goal is to strengthen the content knowledge of our teachers,” assistant education commissioner Jay Doolan said. “Math especially is a concern, and we want input.”
Math has been one of the areas where there is still a teacher shortage in the state. The poor performance of minority teaching candidates on that test, with results indicating less than a third passed, was also a concern as the state looks to recruit more minority teachers.
Robert Higgins, acting director of the Office of Licensure and Credentials, said the passing rates in New Jersey among the minority teaching groups are similar to national trends.
Wow... that's all I can say... just wow.
Comments
Aug. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by puppydogtails
Wow is right. That's just sad. At least they're not talking about lowering the requirements. That's what I would normally expect from public ed.
