In-Service Development in the Teaching Profession and Teacher Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Changes in the organizational structure of teacher education and in the attitudes of members of the teaching profession are proposed. The concept of inservice teacher education is criticized as admitting that school of education graduates holding a bachelor's degree enter the profession not fully prepared and must continue to study while on the job. It is suggested that the classical hierarchical structure of business and traditional management, including assumptions about delegation, accountability, and supervision, have no place in the educational hierarchy. A parallel is drawn with business management. The teacher holding a bachelor's degree occupies a lower place in the hierarchy than does a principal holding a master's degree. This, it is argued, is a reversal of professional organization. The teacher should have the higher status since classroom teaching requires more specialized training than administration. (JD)