04.29.05

Oehler Lecture Speaker Says Best Teachers Are Prepared Teachers

By Mike Frontiero
VCU School of Education
April 29, 2005

It is not enough just to know what you are teaching. You also have to know how to teach and teach effectively. That was the message a national education policy expert delivered to student and experienced educators at the second annual John S. Oehler Lecture for Educational Leadership, sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education.

Education Commission of the States Vice President For Policy Studies and Executive Director of the Teacher Quality Policy Center Dr. Charles Coble (right) addressed more than 100 students and educators at the second annual John S. Oehler Lecture for Educational Leadership. VCU Center for Teacher Leadership Director Dr. Terry Dozier (left) was the lecture respondent.

In his speech “Teacher Education: To be or not to be?" Dr. Charles Coble, a vice president with the Denver-based Education Commission of the States, addressed a nationwide debate over what it takes to prepare new teachers. Educators, lawmakers and policymakers are split on requiring four years of extensive preparation in a public university setting when many parts of the country are experiencing serious teacher shortages.

“Both sides agree that smart, caring teachers can help low performing students excel,” said Coble. “They disagree on how to get there.”
One side supports allowing experienced career switchers, retirees and others without teaching degrees to fill vacant teaching positions, saying universities haven't done a good job preparing new teachers. The number of teachers receiving certification through alternative routes is growing. According to Coble’s organization, about 25,000 have been certified every year since 1998.

The other side argues it's important for teachers to have thorough preparation and knowledge before entering the classroom, which universities can best provide.

According to the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, there are approximately 1,300 institutions that produce up to 2,000 new teachers each year. The quality of those programs varies greatly. Unlike other professions, such as medicine and law, that require national accreditation of professional schools, less than half of teacher education institutions, 501, are currently accredited by a national accrediting body.

Dr. Coble (right) answers questions from students at a master class before the lecture.

Coble said changes are needed in the way universities prepare new teachers, especially in the areas of quality and accountability and using technology to promote learning. They also need to produce school administrators and principals who can lead and support teachers. “If universities pay attention to what goes on in public schools, then they will have a great role developing effective teachers. If not, they’ll be out in short order.”

Following up on Coble’s remarks, VCU Center for Teacher Leadership Director Terry Dozier, Ed.D., highlighted the work the School of Education is doing with Richmond area schools through the Metropolitan Educational Training Alliance.

“I feel very good about the alliance and the direction VCU is taking to refine and improve our programs,” said Dozier. “It is a two-way street.”

The alliance was formed in 2001 to meet the professional development and training needs of teachers, administrators and other educational personnel. Last year, the school received a $5.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to develop and retain teachers who are more effective in increasing student achievement in the public school systems in Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties, and in the city of Richmond.

The lecture is named for John S. Oehler, Ed.D., who served for sixteen years as dean of the School of Education. Oehler was responsible for cutting-edge teacher preparation programs that moved the school to the forefront in teacher education reform. 

To view the PowerPoint presentation from Dr. Coble’s lecture, click here.

From left, Dr. Coble and former VCU School of Education dean Dr. John S. Oehler.

Photo credits:  Mike Frontiero, VCU School of Education

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