When it comes to preparing teachers for the classroom, Idaho colleges and universities get a “D” grade, according to a Washington, D.C.-based group. The new National Council on Teacher Quality report found Idaho teacher education programs lacking in several areas. Among the findings:

• Idaho isn’t selective enough. Only 22 percent of the state’s teacher education programs restrict admissions to the top half of college-bound students. Nationally, the average is 28 percent.
• Reading programs fail to measure up. Only a quarter of the state’s elementary instruction programs teach what the report calls “effective, scientifically based reading instruction.” The national average is 29 percent.
• Idaho’s special education teaching certificate, covering kindergarten through 12^th grade, fails to note differences between working with elementary and secondary students.

Not all the news is bad, however/Kevin Richert, IdahoED News. More here.

Question: Do you have a teacher in your family?