February 14, 2010

Obama's Efforts to Improve Teachers' Training Stir Old Debates

Obama's Efforts to Improve Teacher Training Stir Old Debates 1

U. of Virginia

Education Secretary Arne Duncan, speaking at the U. of Virginia in October, criticized colleges of education for being "theory-heavy and curriculum-light."

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U. of Virginia

Education Secretary Arne Duncan, speaking at the U. of Virginia in October, criticized colleges of education for being "theory-heavy and curriculum-light."

By Libby Nelson

At Arizona State University, education majors are studying less education than they used to.

Students in the college of education are taking more courses in the subjects they intend to teach. The law-school dean is writing a civics curriculum for aspiring elementary-school teachers; university scientists have created a science program. It's a universitywide effort to make teacher training more rigorous and effective, one financed in part by a new $33.8-million grant