Increasing cultural diversity in American schools has made preparing graduates to work with diverse learners an essential goal of teacher education programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of elementary (K-6) undergraduate preservice teachers (n=36) in a dual certification program regarding their personal and…

Investigated the impact of an urban field experience on rural/suburban preservice teachers, examining what they learned and how they applied their learning. Data from observations and student self-reports indicated that the experience was very positive for the participants, and it raised their consciousness about urban education. Participants…

Schools may not be the best sites for early field experiences of preservice teachers just beginning to work with culturally different children. The paper examines factors limiting public schools' potential as sites, describes an alternative nonschool setting, and analyzes conditions that make the setting better for developing culturally responsive…

The Collaborative Learning Network: Project Genesis, a partnership between California State University, San Bernardino, and the Ontario-Monclair School District (California) and its consortium districts is a multi-faceted program consisting of three levels of training and support. Phase one, Undergraduate Service Learning, recruits potential…

A field-based teacher education program that is designed to educate preservice teachers for careers in urban schools is described. In this program preservice elementary school teachers spend two semesters in the classroom with veteran teachers before the traditional student teacher semester. In the second semester of the program, the preservice…

This study investigated how undergraduate students make meaning from instances of cultural conflict within juvenile novels. Student logs, discussion groups, postwriting, and classroom observations indicated that the case method had strengths and weaknesses, but overall, it encouraged reflection on critical issues. (SM)

Investigated elementary preservice teachers' perceptions of a 1-week international teaching experience. Students traveled to Mexico to teach in a bilingual school and tour cultural and historical sites. Data from pre- and post questionnaires and interviews and a 1-year followup indicated lasting positive effects of this experience, in which they…

Florida Atlantic University restructured its undergraduate teacher preparation program to provide a bachelor's degree in elementary education with an English as a Second Language (ESOL) endorsement. The program prepares graduates to meet the needs of ESOL students in regular elementary classrooms. It integrates ESOL competencies into methods…

Canadian preservice teachers were sent to volunteer in an inner-city Native American elementary school in order to gain some understanding of other cultures and thus examine their own attitudes toward race and culture. The program helped students understand the role of communication in communities and in teaching. (SM)

Two themes which run through a majority of education reform reports are the need better to prepare teachers for cultural diversity and to forge partnerships between universities and public schools. In an effort to fill these needs a collaborative project was undertaken between the University of Central Florida and a local elementary school (in…

Researchers analyzed journals and essays from an elementary teacher education course, examining white prospective teachers' changing views about inner-city schools with minority children as they completed fieldwork and relevant readings. The experiences helped them question old assumptions about urban students and teaching and about the value of…