The problem isn't limited to Illinois
Poor kids get least qualified teachers
Illinois' standards too lax, critics say
By Jodi S. Cohen, Tribune staff reporter. Tribune staff reporter Darnell Little contributed to this report
December 20, 2003
The first comprehensive statewide assessment of teacher qualifications confirms what anecdotal evidence and studies have suggested for years: Poor and minority children––the students who often need the most help––are most likely to have the least–qualified teachers.
Data released Friday showed that children in Illinois' high–poverty schools are 10 times more likely than students from low–poverty schools to have classes taught by teachers who are not "highly qualified" because they don't have a state teaching certificate or are teaching subjects outside their expertise.
