The Use of NTE Communication Skills and General Knowledge Scores for Admission to Teacher Education Programs : Policy Recommendations / Mary E. Wakeford and Valerie S. L. Williams.

Policymakers adopt basic skills tests as admission requirements for programs of teacher education to increase the accuracy of admissions and, ultimately, to increase the competence of the teaching force. The tests are regarded as an independent measure of student academic competence. A multiple regression study of the incremental predictive validity of the test scores shows that basic skills test scores do not improve the prediction of students' success in teacher education programs when the grade point average of the first 2 years of college is available. The use of college grade point averages alone are recommended to measure academic achievement and to predict future academic achievement. It is also recommended that candidates for admission to teacher education programs submit scores on standardized tests of basic skills at the time of admission, but that a qualifying score not be designated. A final recommendation asserts that prospective teachers achieve a qualifying score on a test of basic skills before licensure. (Author/LL)

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