Reasons for Teacher Incompetence

1. Reasons for Teacher Incompetence How to Avoid Incompetence

2. Contributors to Teacher Incompetence: • Lack of proper training and subject knowledge • Poor lesson planning and adherence to curriculum • Absence of classroom management and discipline • Lack of communication with parents • Disregard for school policy • Unsatisfactory relationship with students • Differentiating work according to student abilities • The issue of tenure as a discouraging factor • Inadequate test results • Low expectations

3. Lack of Proper Training/Subject Knowledge • Teachers should have adequate knowledge of the subject they are to teach • If a teacher lacks knowledge of subject at hand, the teacher will fail to convey knowledge to students • Teachers should be highly qualified in the subject that is being taught

4. Poor Lesson Planning & Adherence to Curriculum • Teachers should utilize all resources available to ensure lessons are thoroughly planned • All Texas teachers should abide by TEKS • Poor lesson planning can result in children failing to learn • Teachers should consult • with team members to formulate curriculum

5. Absence of Classroom Management & Discipline • All classrooms should be conducive to student learning • Classroom environment must be organized to fit the needs of all students • Positive student behavior should be reinforced to promote positive classroom environment • Teachers should be able to maintain control of their classrooms

6. Lack of Communication with Parents • Parents should stay informed of student progress • Teachers should keep open lines of communication with parents • Teachers should contact parents using various methods • Ex: Weekly newsletters, parent conference, phone calls, e-mails, notes sent home with students, etc.

7. Disregard for School Policy • All teachers must strictly follow school rules and policy • In following school policies, teachers will elicit more learning in students • Everything a teacher conducts in a classroom must be approved by administration • Just as students must follow rules in school, teachers must follow rules as well

8. Unsatisfactory Relationship with Students • Teachers must sustain positive relationships with students • Teachers must remain available to students at all times • Teachers must be aware of students’ individual needs • Teacher-student relationship must always remain professional

9. Differentiating Work According to Student Abilities • An effective teacher implements differentiated instruction for students • All students learn at different levels, and teachers should be able to determine those levels according to each student • Students of low, average and high-ability • Teachers must leave room for modifications in every lesson that is planned

10. The Issue of Tenure as a Discouraging Factor • Teachers that have attained tenure can sometimes show signs of laziness • Teachers that have been teaching for an extended period can potentially disregard new approaches to teaching • Job security can possibly lead to lack of the following: • Professionalism, enthusiasm, updated content knowledge, etc.

11. Inadequate Test Results • All Texas students must pass the STAAR/TAKS in order to proceed to the next grade level • Teachers must teach all TEKS content in order to ensure students are prepared for the state exams • Student test results can reflect a teacher’s curriculum and the lack of knowledge attained by students

12. Low Expectations • Teachers should set acceptable expectations for all students • Expectations should accommodate student ability level • Setting low expectations for students can result in students performing poorly • Students should be encouraged to set their own expectations and goals with the assistance of the teacher