On Pedagogical Preparation of College Teachers

1973 NCTE Annual Business Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Background This resolution stemmed from concern among college-level members of NCTE that graduate departments of English, many of whose students are studying to become professors of literature, language, and composition, place great emphasis on mastery of a subject area but, "in too many instances," offer "no formal training in the skills necessary for successful teaching."  As a result, the proposers stated, many Ph.D.'s "are only partially successful in their attempts to instruct learners with a wide range of abilities and backgrounds."  Be it therefore Resolution Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English apprise graduate English departments of its rising concern for improved quality in the preparation of graduate students to teach effectively at the college level; and           that NCTE encourage such departments to accept the responsibility of providing education in basic pedagogical skills through formal programs, internships, and other comparable experiences.