On Teacher Certification

1985 NCTE Annual Business Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Background In passing this resolution, NCTE members pointed out that many teachers being hired on emergency certification lack academic and professional preparation for teaching English and the language arts.  They noted that this practice, while appearing to solve a teacher shortage, in fact jeopardizes effective teaching and learning in an essential discipline.  Be it therefore Resolution Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English urge local, state, and national school board officials and agencies to require that all English language arts teachers be appropriately prepared, qualified, and certified in accordance with NCTE guidelines for teacher preparation and certification.