A discussion is presented on a cluster of related research studies conducted on the adequacy of multicultural education in current teacher education programs. The first was designed to determine whether preservice teachers lack relevant background experiences in multicultural settings, perceive a need for multicultural training, and would be…

The Mercer University field-based program in elementary education provides practical experience beginning in the junior year. The prospective teacher starts with observations in public school classrooms while enrolled in a foundations of education course. Opportunities to work directly with children commence in the second quarter of the junior…

A cooperative program of teacher education involving a university, public schools, and the community is built on formal agreements for joint responsibility in teacher training and depends upon clear communication among all participants. In this paper, the structure, areas of responsibility, and lines of communication are described for five…

This paper describes the sequence of field experiences from the freshman level through graduate experiences in the teacher program at North Texas State University. Four specific areas of the program are outlined: (1) prestudent teaching experiences in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education; (2) undergraduate field experiences…

This survey of undergraduate teacher education was cosponsored by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) and the Teacher Programs and Services Group of Educational Testing Services (ETS). Questionnaires were sent out in June 1973 to AACTE member institutions. A copy of the questionnaire is included as an appendix.…

Reports no significant differences between the attitudes toward science teaching of students in campus-based and field-based teacher preparation programs. However, field-based teachers (N=39) were significantly more custodial in their pupil control ideology than teachers (N=43) in the campus-based program. (JN)

Two field-based teacher education programs at North Texas State University are described. The West Dallas Teacher Education Project prepares education students to work in inner-city, urban schools, and the North Texas Cooperative Teacher Education Project allows education students to work as paraprofessional teacher aides. (CJ)

Seven mathematics teacher education programs are described. Two focus on the elementary level (Arizona State University, University of Houston); one concentrates on middle schools (University of Georgia); two deal with the secondary level (Illinois State University; University of Minnesota); and two represent statewide inservice efforts…

Providing effective student teaching field experiences involves formal governance and equal partnership between the cooperating teachers and college faculty. A program at Cleveland State University's College of Education provides: (1) a formal arrangement for joint governance by schools and the college; and (2) supervision by specially trained…

Discusses the proper balance between theory and practice in the professional preparation of teachers. Contents that the argument between educational theory and school-based practice is based mistakenly on the premise that practical training is opposed to theory. Concludes that teacher education must be based on the moral and evaluative…

Loras College recently became a laptop campus. Faculty members in the Division of Education viewed the transformation of the college learning environment as an opportunity to enhance the elementary education teacher preparation program. There was a desire to make productive use of the improved technology available and the early field experience…

This study examined what preservice teachers found surprising about their field experience. Seventy-two preservice teachers completed an open-ended questionnaire during the final field experience seminar of the academic term. Data were content analyzed using inductive coding. Four themes of surprises emerged. The preservice teachers were (a)…

In an effort to draw together a program response to needs of those preparing to teach in rural/small schools, a review of literature is provided, which concludes with an indepth look at a 1982 research project conducted on the topic. It investigates how important some 45 areas of college studies are to success in current teaching assignments of…

The State University of New York College at Fredonia, Center for Educational Studies is initiating new partnerships and linkages with inservice teachers to provide a united front in the preparation of educational personnel, changing the delivery mode of inservice education, developing a mission/philosophy reflecting a sense of purpose, and…

Directors of student teachers and administrators of field experience (n=240) assessed which of 26 suggested components of preservice/certification programs for rural teaching were available and which should be available. Results indicated that 21 of the 208 institutions in 27 rural states prepared students specifically for teaching in a rural…