Study faults elementary-teacher math training

Sun., June 29, 2008

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho is among the states criticized in a new nationwide study for failing to issue consistent guidelines in preparing elementary teachers to instruct math.

The study was released last week by the National Council on Teacher Quality, a nonpartisan research and advocacy group in Washington, D.C. The council looked at 77 elementary education programs , or roughly 5 percent of the institutions that offer undergraduate elementary teacher certification.

The University of Idaho was not included in the report, but the study did find Idaho was one of 18 states with no program requirements regarding the foundations of mathematics, algebra and geometry.

The study comes a few months after a federal panel reported that U.S. students have widespread difficulty with fractions – a problem that arises in elementary school and prevents kids from mastering more complicated math topics later on, such as algebra.

The report says governments in states such as Idaho contribute to the problem by not issuing thorough and consistent guidelines for the mathematics preparation of elementary school teachers. The report showed significant differences in the number and kinds of courses required by individual teacher certification programs.

While Idaho was found lacking in consistent standards for teacher education, Washington is among 28 states that do have requirements, the report says.

Judy Mitchell, College of Education dean at Washington State University, said the university’s program is highly regulated by the state, which is in charge of approving the curriculum and granting licenses to students following their completion of the teacher certification program.

The university requires all students studying elementary education to complete three math courses rather than the two mandated by the state, Mitchell said.

The university also requires prospective teachers to pass a basic skills test in reading, writing and math prior to entering the college.

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