Reports Renew Debate Over Alternative Preparation

A new report is again raising concerns that teacher-candidates who come through alternative routes are not adequately prepared when they begin teaching.

Only half the teachers in high-needs schools trained via such routes said they were prepared for the first year of teaching, compared with 80 percent of teachers prepared in traditional programs, according to survey findings in the report released last week.

In addition, 54 percent of teachers prepared in alternative programs said they could have used more time working with a classroom teacher during the preservice period, and 16 percent say they spent no time with a teacher...