Reforms in teacher education programs to enhance the professionalization of the teaching profession

Abstract

Sociologists have defined characteristics that distinguish full professions from other kinds of occupations. Literature on the teaching profession indicates that teaching is classified as a semi-profession because the attributes of the teaching profession do not fulfil the dimensions that characterize a full profession. The status of the teaching profession can be raised by making teaching more scientific, evidence-based, and informed by research. This paper emphasizes the important role of teacher education programs in realizing such improvements and raising the status of the teaching profession. Reforms in these programs can help prospective teachers acquire a profession-specific knowledge base and specialized pedagogical training. All these advancements contribute to enhancing the professionalization of the teaching profession.