How good are the teachers?
This is the most important question everyone wants to know about a school. Research confirms what most people remember from their own schooling--good teachers are the key to a good education. But how can you tell about the teachers at this school? Looking at the data is an excellent first step, but you may want to visit the school to really find out for yourself. The data will tell you two important things; whether the teachers at this school are certified by the state to be in the classroom and how many years they have been teaching.

Does Certification Matter?
While certification is no guarantee that a teacher is qualified, certification does indicate that a teacher is passionate enough about teaching to spend time and money getting prepared. Certified teachers also have training in important skills such as classroom management and lesson planning. Uncertified teachers may have strong knowledge of their content area, but they don't always know how to cope with the complex dynamics of the classroom. Another factor to consider is whether teachers are certified in their subject area; even if a teacher is certified in English, this expertise won't help much in an algebra class.

Is More Experience Better?
The short answer is yes and no. There is no doubt that experienced teachers, who have had many years to learn and perfect their strategies, are often more skilled at classroom management and organizing instructional time. However, sometimes experience leads to stagnation and young, fresh teachers can bring enthusiasm, energy and new ideas to a school. The most effective schools have a combination of experienced and new teachers, and create opportunities for all teachers to learn from each other.

Your Own Observations: The Best Way to Find Out
In the end, the most important assessment of teacher quality may be what you observe in the classroom. Schedule a tour of the school and visit as many classrooms as you can; every school has a wide variety of teaching styles and expertise.

For more information about how to plan a school visit, check out this helpful article from GreatSchools.net: Planning A School Visit

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