There have been discussions in this forum about teacher preparation, especially the math knowledge of elementary school teachers. The following article makes me wonder if content knowledge is going to be further de-emphasized, since written tests (which are to be replaced by portfolios) are a more efficient way of assessing such knowledge than evaluating portfolios. I am not against assessing how well student teachers perform in a classroom, but before they get to a classroom they should demonstrate mastery of the subjects they are supposed to teach.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/n...aper-and-pencil-to-license-teachers.html
To Earn Classroom Certification, More Teaching and Less Testing
AL BAKER
New York Times
July 29, 2012