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Better teachers, better preschools: Student achievement linked to teacher qualifications

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Policy brief, Issue 2
Author: 
Barnett, W. Steven
Format: 
Periodical
Publication Date: 
1 Mar 2003
AVAILABILITY

Available in print for order (see SOURCE) and online for download.

Summary:

Research has linked early learning and development to the educational qualifications of teachers. The most effective preschool teachers ­ those with at least a four-year college degree and specialized training in early childhood ­ have more responsive interactions with children, provide richer language and cognitive experiences, and are less authoritarian. High-quality preschool education depends on effective, high-quality teachers.

This brief presents current educational requirements for preschool teachers, reviews evidence on the importance of teacher qualifications, and offers policy recommendations:

- require four-year degrees and specialized training for preschool teachers,

- encourage higher education institutions to develop the necessary programs for professional development of early childhood teachers,

- design professional development programs to help current teachers get a four-year degree, and

- provide preschool teachers with salaries comparable to their K-12 counterparts.

By implementing these recommendations we can help to increase the number of well-educated, professional early education teachers.

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