Anthony Cody reports on legislation prepared by Colorado Senator Michael Bennet that would decimate teacher professionalism. He wants federal funding for new teacher and principal academies that would lower standards for entry into education.

There is the usual blather about “excellence,” “great teachers,” standards and accountability, but the heart of the legislation is what it does not require:

“(B) shall not have unnecessary restrictions on the methods or inputs the teacher preparation academy will use to train teacher candidates or teachers teaching on alternative certificates, licenses, or credentials, including restrictions or requirements–

(i) obligating the faculty of the teacher preparation academy to hold advanced degrees;

(ii) obligating such faculty to conduct academic research;

(iii) related to the physical infrastructure of the teacher preparation academy;

(iv) related to the number of course credits required as part of the program of study;

(v) related to the undergraduate coursework completed by teachers teaching on alternative certificates, licenses, or credentials, as long as such teachers have successfully passed all relevant State-approved content area examinations…”

Cody concludes,

“So anyone with a bachelor’s degree – actually it does not even specify that – can open a teacher preparation “academy.” They need no building, no trained faculty. The credential candidates need have no preparation whatsoever – all that matters is that they pass the state content exams.”

These federal academies might not have a single faculty member who held an advanced degree or had ever conducted research. There might not be a physical campus. The prep academies would eventually be judged–someday–by the test scores of their graduates.

This approach would eliminate professional training for teachers.

Contrast this with Finland, where only eight universities award teacher degrees, and competition to get into these institutions is highly competitive. Only 1 of every 10 applicants is accepted into them, and they are expected to conduct research, study academic and pedagogical courses, and practice teach.

Finland has very high standards, but Senator Bennett’s bill would eliminate all standards for students and faculty.

Need I add that the bill is supported by a veritable “Who’s Who” of the corporate reform world, including TFA, Stand for Children, and a multitude of charter schools, all of whom are committed via this document to lower standards for teachers..