Special Initiatives in Mathematics and Science Education
In 2013, Denmark reformed Folkeskole teacher education. The reform took effect in the summer of 2013, and aims to develop more professional and more attractive teacher education programs, which match the needs in the Folkeskole. One of the main goals of the reform is to increase instruction by qualified specialist teachers in the Folkeskole.45
In the 2013–2014 school year, the proportion of lessons taught by specialist teachers was 80.4 percent. The government and municipalities reached an agreement in 2013 setting the following objectives for the Folkeskole: at least 85 percent of lessons will be taught by specialist teachers in 2016, and at least 90 percent of lessons will be taught by specialist teachers in 2018.46
At present, few prospective teachers in Denmark choose to specialize in science subjects. It is necessary to encourage student teachers to specialize in science subjects to ensure the crucial demand is met for science teachers in the Folkeskole. The government hopes to help generate greater interest in the science subjects by offering flexibility within the new teacher education programs and facilitating closer cooperation between university colleges and universities.47
Certain university colleges offer a teacher education program called Advanced Science Teacher Education (ASTE). Students who enroll in the ASTE take mathematics as their first subject, and upon graduation are qualified to teach in the four science subjects: mathematics, biology, physics/chemistry, and geography.48