During Wednesday night’s presidential debate, John McCain touted several programs designed to attract more teachers to the profession. Unfortunately, he was either misinformed or had no idea about what it takes to be in those programs.

McCain said:

We need to encourage programs such as Teach for America and Troops to Teachers where people, after having served in the military, can go right to teaching and not have to take these examinations which — or have the certification that some are required in some states.

Uh … no! First he says the education system is being pulled down by bad teachers and now he thinks there are programs out there that let just any high school graduate teach? McCain says we need better teachers and more accountability in the system. But he thinks the solution is in programs that take soldiers right from the battlefield into the classroom with no licenses or certification?

Thank goodness he’s dead wrong about both Teach for America and Troops to Teachers. You most certainly need a college degree or at least must have started college in order to qualify for both programs. Then, you must complete state licensure through the program in order to be a certified teacher in a field of expertise. Good grief.

Yeah, lower the standards for teachers? McCain gets an “F” for not doing his homework on either of the programs.