Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
In Taiwan, three types of preservice teacher education program are available at the higher education level for preparing teachers to work in secondary schools and institutions, in elementary schools, or in kindergartens. Before 1994, primary school and high school teachers were educated only in normal schools, normal colleges, and normal universities.10 In 1994, the Teacher Education Law replaced the Normal Education Act, and the policy regarding preservice teacher education changed. Normal colleges and normal universities are no longer the only institutions that educate teachers. All colleges and universities may offer education courses and postgraduate credit programs on education and participate in the preparation of teachers for the kindergarten to the senior high school levels. Currently, 53 colleges and universities provide preservice teacher education programs.
Teacher Education Specific to Mathematics and Science
The cultivation of preservice teachers for elementary and secondary schools for all the subject areas, including science and mathematics, is regulated by the Teacher Education Law amended in 2003.11 According to the Teacher Education Law, there are three kinds of institutions allowed to provide teacher education: normal universities, education departments, and teacher education centers in universities. Prospective teachers must complete a preservice teacher education program, which includes compulsory specialized subject matter (discipline) courses, education concentration courses, and a six month practicum. The specialized courses aim to develop teachers’ professional knowledge and skills in one subject area. Education concentration courses include both pedagogical and pedagogical subject-specific courses. In order to teach most subjects in junior high school, preservice teacher education students must complete 30 to 40 credit hours of subject matter courses, and 26 credit hours of education concentration courses. Prospective elementary school teachers are not required to take subject matter courses, but they must complete 40 credit hours of education concentration courses, including compulsory pedagogical subject-specific courses in three or four areas. The curricula of subject matter courses and education concentration courses must be approved, both by a teacher education committee at every university and by the Ministry of Education.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development
The institutions that provide preservice teacher education also are responsible for the professional development of teachers. Prior to 2003, in accordance with the Regulations of In-Service Education for Grades K to 12 Teachers, elementary and secondary school teachers were required to complete a minimum of 90 hours of professional development every five years. However, these regulations were abolished in 2003, and local bureaus of education now regulate teacher professional development programs.