Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Teacher Education Specific to Mathematics and Science
The classification and qualifications of teachers are stipulated in Article 21, Section 2 of the Act on Elementary and Secondary School Education. In Korea, teachers are classified into Grade I and Grade II elementary or secondary school teachers. Teachers are required to meet specific qualification criteria for each category in accordance with presidential decree and must be licensed by the Minister of Education.17
Universities of education, colleges of education, departments of education, and general colleges and universities with teacher certification programs provide teacher education for preservice teachers. Most elementary school teachers complete their education at four year national universities of education; some complete their education in departments of elementary education at colleges of education belonging to universities. Secondary school teachers typically are prepared for four years at colleges of education belonging to universities, or at departments of education within general colleges belonging to universities. Graduate schools provide teacher education for those who want to become teachers after completing noneducation college or university programs.18
An individual is qualified to become a Grade II licensed teacher after completing one of the preservice teacher education programs mentioned above. After qualification, prospective public school teachers must pass the Teacher Employment Test, which is administered in two stages. For prospective primary school teachers, the first stage comprises a written test on pedagogical knowledge, curriculum knowledge, and subject matter knowledge. The second stage includes an in-depth interview, a candidate plan for the teaching and learning process, and a demonstration of teaching in the classroom. The Teacher Employment Test for prospective secondary school teachers also is administered in two stages: the first stage includes a written test on pedagogical knowledge, curriculum knowledge, and subject matter knowledge. The second stage consists of an in-depth interview, a candidate plan for the teaching and learning process, and a teaching assessment. The Metropolitan and Provincial Offices of Education, in charge of implementing the second stage of the Teacher Employment Test, decide whether additional assessments, such as a science skills test or an interview in English, will be conducted.19 As the Teacher Employment Test is very competitive, teachers who pass the examination are considered to be excellent in both subject content expertise and pedagogical skills.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development
In order to improve professional teaching expertise, the Korean educational authority provides a variety of training programs through education offices and universities. To improve teaching ability, experienced teachers with three or more years of service must participate in a 180-hour professional career development program during their summer or winter vacations to qualify for a School Teacher Grade I certificate. The School Teacher Grade I certificate includes basic skills (10 percent to 20 percent of qualification training program), general pedagogy (10 percent to 20 percent), and subject content knowledge (60 to 80 percent).20
A variety of teacher development programs are provided at educational centers within municipal jurisdictions of metropolitan cities or local provincial education offices, at university affiliated education centers, or at private sector education centers. Program delivery methods include in-class sessions, distance learning, and home learning, among others. Recently, distance learning programs have been expanding.