This article describes the creation of a First Year Experience learning community in a teacher education program. The First Year Experience model was adopted by the university because of declining enrollment, retention, and graduation rates and has been generally successful in the education department. With little information available for teacher…

Inclusion of students with disabilities in general education settings is often contingent on teachers' liberties to use inclusive instructional strategies. The current qualitative investigation used focus group, observation, and interviews of 9 special education teachers to understand their attitudes and beliefs concerning challenges with…

The International Reading Association (2003) has recently established new guidelines for graduate students enrolled in reading and literacy programs. These guidelines require graduate students to maintain direct contact with students during their coursework for advanced degrees. Field experiences support best practices in bridging the gap between…

This paper presents a model for implementing a field experience program in a technology-enhanced pedagogical laboratory where teacher candidates practice and reflect on theory-based instructional strategies. The model consists of three steps: teacher candidate preparation, laboratory experience, and reflection. Teacher candidate preparation…

This article conceptualizes an attachment-based model of the student-field instructor relationship, based on empirical research concerning internal working models of attachment, which continue into adulthood and serve as templates for life-long relating. Supportive relationships within a noncritical context are salient for effective supervision;…

Intended as a guide for postsecondary faculty and administrators, this document suggests training and management decision guidelines for selection and implementation of an experience-based collegiate (EbCE) program. It is concerned with only one form of experiential learning--field experience or community-based education (internships, cooperative…

Guidelines are presented for implementing field placements in social gerontology courses. After an introduction comparing the focus, objectives, and content of two types of experience--the liberal arts field placement and the human services internship--the paper is divided into three sections. These outline recommendations for the organization,…

Secondary vocational-technical education programs in Mississippi are faced with many challenges resulting from sweeping educational reforms at the national and state levels. Schools and teachers are increasingly being held accountable for providing true learning activities to every student in the classroom. This accountability is measured through…

The Salem-Steelville-Potosi Consortium, located in rural, southeastern Missouri, began its involvement with Contract Vocational Education (CVE) in 1979 and after 15 semesters, 234 contracts had been negotiated with 193 students and over 100 businesses. A prior dropout study had shown the schools that most of their dropouts had limited career…