1996 NCTE Annual Business Meeting in Chicago, Illinois

Background

In 1985, the National Council of Teachers of English passed a resolution urging local, state, and national school boards and agencies to require that all English language arts teachers be appropriately prepared in accordance with NCTE’s Guidelines for the Preparation of Teachers of English Language Arts (revised and republished in 1996). Despite its firm stand on teacher preparation, NCTE and its affiliates remain concerned that in some parts of the country the practice continues of hiring and assigning unqualified teachers to fill vacancies in English language arts.

Contributing to the re-emergence of this concern is a teacher shortage coupled with a recognized need to reduce class size. Teachers guiding students in the development of literacy must have a knowledge of content, pedagogy, and appropriate methodology. Be it therefore

Resolution

Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English continue to oppose the hiring or assigning of teachers to teach English language arts who have not completed the recognized guidelines for teacher preparation in English language arts as specified by the credentialing requirements of their states, in spite of the need to address the realities of teacher shortages in some states and districts;

that NCTE and its affiliates continue to educate legislators, school officials, and the public about the complexities of teaching English language arts; and

that NCTE publicize and promote its resources (conferences, publications, and networks) as professional development services to help all teachers.

This position statement may be printed, copied, and disseminated without permission from NCTE.