To improve the quality of its teacher education program, the university strengthened its partnership with schools where its students obtained student teaching experience. The qualities of effective cooperating teachers, a selection guide for faculty associates, and the benefits of college school cooperation are described. (JL)

Six issues to consider when colleges make placement decisions for prestudent teaching and student teaching are diversity, collaboration, cooperating teacher preparation, challenging beliefs, mentor matching, and clustering. A study of current North American placement practices is examined. Implications of the six considerations for teacher…