Reforming teacher preparation and licensing: Debating the evidence

This article responds to Dale Ballou and Michael Podgursky's claims that the National Commission on reaching and America's Future has misrepresented research data and findings. After reviewing and responding to each of their charges, the article indicates the ways in which their critique itself has misreported data and misrepresented the Commission's statements and recommendations. Ballou and Podgursky ignore and misconstrue the research evidence presented by the Commission in support of its hey conclusions. Following an analysis of the ways in which the critique misrepresents the findings from research on teacher education to bolster the argument that training for teaching is unnecessary, this reply offers an argument for professional teaching standards as a key factor in achieving greater equity and excellence in American schools.