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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah is one of three states that is without a federally required plan to ensure poor and minority children are not disproportionately taught by inexperienced or underqualified teachers.
A study by the Education Trust, based on data from the states that did submit their plans, concluded that low-income and minority students are being taught by inexperienced, unqualified teachers in disproportionate numbers.
The trust, a think tank that focuses on closing achievement gaps between disadvantaged students and their peers, also said Thursday that the federal government is doing a poor job of enforcing the teacher equity provisions of the No Child Left Behind act,
It also said that most of the teacher equity plans submitted to the U.S. Department of Education were based on incomplete analyses and it recommended the department reject most of the plans, then give clearer guidance on what's expected.
The teacher equity data and performance plans were supposed to have been submitted by July 7.
Patti Harrington, state school superintendent, said Utah told the Department of Education it needed more time because of concerns that the state's data regarding teacher qualifications is inaccurate.
The federal law requires that all teachers hold degrees or endorsements in the subjects they teach.
According to Utah's computerized teacher licensing program, only 73 percent of Utah teachers meet "highly qualified" status, but Harrington said she is sure that number is too low.
"We have initiated a district-by-district, school-by-school count to make sure the numbers are correct," Harrington said.
She also is seeking comments at local and states levels about how to attract experienced, well-qualified teachers to schools with high numbers of low-income and minority students.
Among those plans is an initiative from the state Board of Education calling for teachers who work in hard-to-staff schools to receive higher pay, along with teachers of math and science, who are in short supply.
"We are asking for differentiated pay to get more traction in those areas," Harrington said.
She also says the state may be able to learn from plans filed by other states.
State Associate Superintendent Ray Timothy said the state will submit its overall teacher quality plan Oct. 1.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
