Are Teachers Qualified?

WASHINGTON (AP) - How can students learn math, when the teacher
doesn't know much more about the subject than the pupils? That's
one of the questions raised by a new report by a children's
advocacy group, the Education Trust.
The report is based on Education Department data. It says in
high-poverty schools, two in five math classes have teachers
without a college major or certification in math.
And in schools with a greater share of African-American and
Latino children, nearly one in three math classes is taught by such
a teacher.
Math is considered a "gateway" course, one that leads to
greater success in college and the workplace. The crucial learning
time for students is in grades 5 through 8.
Researchers acknowledge it can be tougher to find qualified
teachers for middle schools, especially in low-income areas.