Maryland Education Professor Sees Challenges, Opportunities This School Year

America's students are heading back to the classroom for another year of learning. In Maryland, as in other states, recent test scores are providing mixed results - an indication that there is still a lot of work to be done.

Donna Wiseman is a professor and Associate Dean of Teacher Education in the College of Education at Maryland. She says that while elementary school results are improving, poor scores in math and other subjects at the middle and high school level remain a cause for concern. And she says that given the poor showing American students make when compared to students in other countries, there is still much need for education reform.

She also says the No Child Left Behind Act is making a difference, as it pushes teachers and schools to be more accountable.

Prof. Wiseman recently took at look the state of education today in the United States and what needs to be done to help ensure every student can succeed. And during a far-ranging interview, she answered questions about the impact a research university like Maryland can have on teacher education.

Prof. Wiseman is available for interviews. See also the links to other back-to-school stories and our list of Education Experts at the University of Maryland.

How would you characterize the state of education in Maryland and the United States today? How does the U.S. compare internationally?

Recent test results reported an upswing for elementary school students in reading, writing, and mathematics. However, the gains for Maryland middle and high school students for reading and other subjects were less positive, and are a cause for concern. Read more...

What is the single biggest challenge facing education in the United States today?

Without a doubt, the single biggest challenge ...is to provide an equitable education for all students no matter what their cultural, ethnic, or socioeconomic background. Read more...

The College of Education here at Maryland has been training teachers for a long time - how has that training - the education of teachers - changed over the years?

Teacher preparation has become more selective, rigorous, and relevant and the College of Education at the University of Maryland continues to adjust our programs so the teachers we produce are prepared to meet the challenges in today's schools. Read more...

As a whole, do you think that the No Child Left Behind Act is really making a difference across the U.S.? What needs to be changed? What doesn't?

NCLB is making a difference. Teachers and schools are more accountable, more testing is required, and educators are learning to rely on the tests given in the school. The focus on testing is a bit unbalanced right now and sometimes it interferes with creative teaching initiatives. Read more...

How do we keep young teachers from getting frustrated and leaving the profession after just a few years?

The first thing that almost everyone will mention related to teacher retention is salaries...Too often new teachers are placed in schools that need the most experienced educators, and as a result they become discouraged and leave the profession in the first year or two. Read more...

We are at a point where many teachers are getting ready to retire. School districts are already facing major challenges in hiring not only "highly qualified" teachers (as required by No Child Left Behind) but there are shortages of individuals who can teach math, science, ESOL and Special Education. What has to be done to let young people know that teaching can be a fulfilling career?

Enthusiastic teachers who are very good at what they do will always be the best recruiters for the profession. Improving the working conditions of teachers is one way to encourage individuals to enter the profession. Recruitment can also occur early in college careers or even in high school. Read more...

Talk a little bit about how important research is in the College of Education here at Maryland. Why is there a need for the kinds of research being done here? Is the research being used beyond publication?

The role of research in the College of Education at the University of Maryland enables us to better understand and improve teaching and learning. Often our best researchers are engaged in some aspect of teacher preparation so the results of the scholarship have an immediate impact on our programmatic efforts. Read more...

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