National Standards for Teachers Needed

Is it important for elementary teachers to know American History?
Only nine states - California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas and Washington - require aspiring elementary-school teachers to take an introductory American history class while in education school.

Other concerns
Even as states are erecting barriers that could prevent qualified people from teaching, they also are making it too easy for unqualified people to get in, the report says.

For example, the authors say states are letting novice teachers into classrooms before they have passed state licensing tests.

Just three states - New Jersey, New Mexico and New York - require new teachers to pass such tests before entering the classroom. Many states give teachers one year to pass, but 20 states let people teach for three years or more without passing, the report says.

Read more in The Sun Herald.