Study: Elementary teacher expertise critical

School scene

Developing elementary teachers with deep subject expertise is a critical driver of the success of the world’s top-performing education systems, according to a report by the National Center on Education and the Economy. Researchers studying Finland, Japan, Shanghai and Hong Kong found that teacher preparation builds deep understanding of elementary school content, as well as of how young students learn and understand content — both components of highly effective teaching. The systems in those countries recognize that establishing a strong foundation in core subjects in early grades increases student success throughout school. The report offers suggestions on what the United States can learn from those systems. It is available online at www.ncee.org/elementary-teachers.