Skip to main content

Teacher Quality: Approaches, Implementation, and Evaluation of Key Federal Efforts

GAO-07-861T Published: May 17, 2007. Publicly Released: May 17, 2007.
Jump To:
Skip to Highlights

Highlights

Teachers are the single largest resource in our nation's elementary and secondary education system. However, according to recent research, many teachers lack competency in the subjects they teach. In addition, research shows that most teacher training programs leave new teachers feeling unprepared for the classroom. While the hiring and training of teachers is primarily the responsibility of state and local governments and institutions of higher education, the federal investment in enhancing teacher quality is substantial and growing. In 1998, the Congress amended the Higher Education Act (HEA) to enhance the quality of teaching in the classroom and in 2001 the Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA), which established federal requirements that all teachers of core academic subjects be highly qualified. This testimony focuses on (1) approaches used in teacher quality programs under HEA and NCLBA, (2) the allowable activities under these acts and how recipients are using the funds, and (3) how Education supports and evaluates these activities. This testimony is based on prior GAO reports. We updated information where appropriate.

Full Report

Office of Public Affairs

Topics

EducationEducation program evaluationEducational grantsEducational standardsElementary educationEmployee trainingGrant monitoringHigher educationHiring policiesPerformance measuresQuality improvementSecondary educationTeacher educationTeachersProgram goals or objectives