O.C. Teachers Above Norms, Officials Say

Some Orange County school officials Thursday took exception to a new report by the National Commission on Teaching & America’s Future, arguing that education in this suburban area stands above national and state norms.

“Orange County is an attractive place to live and teach,” said John Dean, superintendent of schools for the county. “We tend to get the cream of the crop, the best of the best.”

Dean contended that Orange County students overall have continually outperformed their peers on national standardized exams, such as the Scholastic Assessment Test, a sign of teaching strength.

“Even with a high percentage of non-English speaking students--or 20,000 in the county--we’re still coming in the 50th percentile on standardized tests,” he said. “There’s no rationale for our being judged low.”

The commission’s report was critical of California for its large number of uncertified teachers. State officials conceded that there has been a sharp increase in hiring of teachers lacking full credentials. But much of that has been driven by the statewide push to reduce class size in primary grades and a shortage of teacher candidates, officials said.

A recent report by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing said: “School districts across the state experienced an unparalleled use of teachers on emergency teaching permits.”

From 1996 to 1997, the state saw a 71% increase in the number of emergency teaching permits issued. Under state policy, emergency permits are given to those who have a bachelor’s degree, have passed the California Basic Education Skills Test and meet minimal course requirements.

Of Orange County’s 18,460 teachers last year, only 3% were not fully certified, according to state figures.

In some districts, among them Irvine Unified and Fullerton, officials say they do not hire uncredentialed teachers, who typically lack classroom experience.

“There’s a tremendously wide range in teaching experiences among those who hold emergency permits,” said Karin Lynch, Fullerton’s personnel director. “Some have no experience with children and aren’t even enrolled in a college credentialing program. And some are just about to finish up their credentialing program.”

But in districts where emergency permits are issued, administrators defend the practice and say they have no choice because of a dearth of teachers with full credentials. Many of those districts have set up intense training and support programs with local teaching colleges to help beginning teachers.

“Many of them are close to being fully credentialed,” said Loretta Davis, personnel director at Anaheim City School District, where 14% of the faculty was hired through emergency permits. “And we are getting some very positive feedback about their performance, energy and enthusiasm.”