In the Heart of Edu-Babble

Anyone who wishes to become a teacher in Canada must hold a valid teaching certificate. In order to qualify for a teaching certificate, prospective teachers must complete a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree from a recognized institution. The only way to get a B.Ed. is to attend an education school, normally referred to as a
Faculty (School or College) of Education.

Since education schools hold a monopoly over teacher education, their impact on public education is significant. However, despite their position of influence, many education schools have come under withering criticism from their own graduates and are generally held in low repute by other university faculties.

Some of the most scathing critiques of American education schools have been written by James Koerner, Rita Kramer, E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Heather Mac Donald, David Larabee, Arthur Levine, and George Cunningham. Education schools are criticized for their weak academic standards, irrelevant courses, poorly conducted research, and onesided indoctrination. No other university department has come under this level of sustained assault from insiders and outsiders alike.

While Canadian education schools operate in a somewhat different political context, the reality is that education schools in Canada are heavily influenced by those in the United States. Many education professors in Canadian institutions received their doctorates from American colleges while the vast majority of textbooks, “research” journals, and other required readings used in Canadian courses were written by American education professors.  (more...)

In the Heart  of Edu-Babble