Raising the Requirements for Mathematics and Science Teaching
About half the countries have raised the requirements for becoming a teacher of fourth or eighth grade students (Exhibits 22 and 23). Several countries have new policies regarding teacher education programs, including increasing the number of years of university preparation necessary to graduate (e.g., from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree) or tightening the criteria for admission (e.g., minimum grade point average, admissions tests, interviews). Other countries have initiated more stringent certification requirements, such as qualifying examinations. Some countries also extended the period of preparation into the classroom through a probationary period, an induction program, or mentoring by an experienced teacher.
In concert with raising requirements for teachers, approximately one-fifth of the countries increased the requirements for becoming a school principal overseeing fourth or eighth grade students. Primarily, countries have begun requiring certification for becoming a principal, but some have examinations or an approval process (Exhibits 24 and 25).