Teacher smarts

In a Spring 2006 Newsletter, the Teacher Quality Partnership of Ohio announced results of a survey of 10,000 2003-2005 graduates of Ohio Teacher Preparation programs:

• Average GPA of 3.47 on 4.0 scale
• Average ACT of 22.52
• Average SAT 1074.04

The ACT and SAT scores are one standard deviation above both Ohio and national norms.  The report states, "These grades and test scores create a stronger academic profile than some would expect...."  Yep.  This backs up the results of a College Board study from a few years ago showing that teachers' writing and math skills are comparable to those of engineers and lawyers, and their altruism is much higher. Hopefully, this kind of data will begin to convince school boards to support, even demand, administrative actions to develop and count on teacher-led instructional improvement.