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Aspiring Massachusetts Teachers Fail In Math

Posted by samzenpus on from the x-isn't-even-a-number dept.

Unfortunately for the 73% of prospective new teachers who failed to pass the math section of the state elementary school teacher's licensing exam, Massachusetts does not grade on a curve. More than 600 applicants took the exam that tests knowledge of elementary school mathematics including geometry, statistics, and probability. Tom Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, says "The high failure rate puts a shining light on a deficiency in teacher-prep programs."

3 of 15 comments (clear)

  1. Deficiencey in Teacher Prep???? by queenb**ch · · Score: 2, Insightful

    OMFG!!! They were *supposed* to have learned this stuff in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL...... How is that a failing of the teacher prep? It sounds like a failing of the public education system.

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    HDGary secures my bank :/
    1. Re:Deficiencey in Teacher Prep???? by v1 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I've ran into people that made it halfway through high school without being able to read. It happens.

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      I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
    2. Re:Deficiencey in Teacher Prep???? by WNReynolds · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Ummm.... before we get to high and mighty, perhaps we would like to take crack at this test ourselves: http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PDFs/MA_FLD009_PRACTICE_TEST.pdf I would think it reasonble to expect a new undergrad in science or engineering to do this (before they start forgetting stuff). But this exam is non-trivial, and would be very tough for someone without several years of undergraduate math (like say, a humanities teacher).