The Teachers We Need Vs. the Teachers We Have: Realities and Possibilities

Baines (instructional leadership and academic curriculum, U. of Oklahoma) examines teacher preparation programs in the US and the need for improvement. He discusses the problems with teacher testing, alternative certification programs, and negative market-driven changes in university programs, as well as the success of teacher certification programs in Singapore and Finland, the need for a national standard of ethics, and how to elevate the status of teaching to that of medicine and other careers through national organization and specialized expertise. There is no index. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Lawrence Baines is chair of the Department of Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum at the University of Oklahoma. He has held academic appointments as the Judith Herb Endowed Chair at the University of Toledo and the J. Leland Green Endowed Chair at Berry College.