Elementary education faculty at this university embedded a Teacher Work Sample (TWS) performance-based assessment into the student teaching experience to assess candidates' ability to impact student learning as required by recent accreditation reforms. The authors conducted an internal evaluation of the TWS for the purposes of strengthening not…

This study examines whether participation in a 13-week undergraduate inclusive education course covaried with an improvement in the self-efficacy of preservice elementary education teachers. We sought to determine whether self-efficacy was influenced differentially by the type of field-based placement experienced by students in the course. The…

This article discusses alternative models for the involvement of school districts in the training of teachers. Two approaches for the training of prospective teachers are discussed. The first is the Individualized Teacher Preparation Program (ITP). The components of ITP include seminars organized to meet the needs or interests of students in…

On the premise that it is important for students to benefit from and interrelate field experiences to on-campus experiences, this paper lists specific activities designed to help teacher education students gain the most from their field experiences so that they can learn to teach reading effectively in elementary school. The paper is divided into…

This paper describes a program featuring integrated course sequences and continuous teaching experience that prepares teachers who can create a variety of learning environments that provide meaningful movement experiences for grades K-12,. The 2-year program sequence includes the following elements: (a) selective admissions and retention…

The Experimental Program in Elementary Education (EXEL) at Shepherd College in West Virginia began in 1973 with authorization by the West Virginia State Department of Education. The program was developed with the hope of producing more confident and competent teachers. EXEL provides continuous field experience from the second semester of the…

This paper describes the field experience of 30 undergraduate students in a teacher education program at the University of North Dakota. As part of an introductory teaching and learning course, teacher education students prepared for and taught elementary students in a small, rural school for one-day. The school enrolled 80 children in…

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that there would be no significant differences between elementary school children who were taught math, reading, and language by several untrained teacher assistants using highly structured materials, and those children who were taught by professional experienced teachers using less structured…

The Field Studies Program in Elementary Education is the 1973 Distinguished Achievement Award Entry from Lowell State College, Lowell, Massachusetts. This master's degree training program for experienced and inexperienced teachers focuses on the following objectives: a) the coordination of innovative educational programs in public and parochial…

A pilot study of 13 preservice and 4 inservice teachers collected and analyzed data regarding how they progressed from early field experience through elementary school physical education. Results indicated that teachers improved their teaching effectiveness as they practiced teaching and were properly monitored with definite goals set. (CB)

The perceptions and attitudes of elementary education majors engaged in student teaching are examined. The desirability of a mandatory student teaching component in preservice teacher education is questioned. (RJG)

Describes Indiana State University's baseline day program, which helps establish a strong beginning upon which student teachers can build. Student teachers take full responsibility of the classroom for 1 day within the first 4-10 days of their assignment. Evaluations of student and cooperating teachers indicate the program benefits all involved.…

A new educational psychology course that combines mastery oriented content learning with direct participation in an elementary school classroom is described. The integration of theoretical-empirical information from psychology with the applied view of education in the classroom is the most important outcome of the new course. A variety of learning…

Most students majoring in elementary education at Illinois State University are enrolled in the CORE Program. These prospective teachers are required to complete three on-campus unified "cores" or semesters of work which focus upon the arts, communication skills, and natural and social sciences. The fourth core or semester is devoted to clinical…

Given the growing demands and intricacies of today's schools, teacher preparation programs must foster meaningful learning experiences conducive to meeting those complex conditions. Since teachers do not face compliant social conditions within schools, they must have optimal learning opportunities during preservice education. Teacher professional…