Interns Teaching Special Ed and English Language Learners

Recently the California Credentialing Panel has placed stricter controls on teaching interns. 

Before the panel made this adjustment young Teach for America interns had been allowed to teach students with learning disabilities and whose first language was not English after just five weeks of training. The panel will continue to allow the to teach these students but only under "only under stricter state controls over their training and supervision".  

This issue drew attention because it brought into question the rights of students with learning disabilities, English language learners and students from economically disadvantaged background as these are the student who routinely receive instruction from novice Teach for America interns. Currently LAUSD employs 199 interns, 75% of whom work with special education students. Are these students not also entitled to the best teachers the district has to offer? 

At a hearing in Sacramento parents, teachers unions and civil rights organizations alike all protested the use of poorly trained interns to teach disadvantaged students. They claim that the disproportionate use of these teachers in low income areas is a blight violation of the children's right to equal education. 

Of course several people spoke on behalf of Teach for America and the negative effect stricter controls would have on the number of applicants to the program. But is that what they should really be worried about? They shouldn't be worried about whether or not the program is difficult to get into because it is not able applicant. It is about the students and how these teachers can best educate them. 

Not surprisingly, the LA reform crew (John Deasy, Mayor Villaraigosa, and charter operators) opposed any change to the current intern teaching credentials. They argued that it would create "needless burdens". Because ensuring quality for needy students is a burden.