This qualitative study was designed as a single-case study of a small, public, teacher education program in the Midwest. The author conducted a study on the perceived role of a "critical friends group" (CFG) in the development of beginning secondary teacher candidates' understandings and practices of reflective practice. Three main types…

Through a lens focused on imagining the future, and with a pedagogical goal to help novice teachers embody effective teaching practices in a writing methods course, the authors (two teacher educators) conducted a design-based experiment to determine if we could access teacher candidates' pedagogical decisions and their future intentions through…

Beliefs often guide a teacher's decision-making, thinking, and practice in the classroom (Vartuli, 2005). There is limited longitudinal research on how early childhood preservice teachers develop new knowledge about their beliefs as they transition into in-service teaching positions (Joram & Gabriele, 1998). Across 4 years that encompassed a…

This qualitative case study reports how 5 first-year kindergarten/primary teachers utilized knowledge and skills from their teacher preparation program as a means of approaching curricular decision-making for instructional practice. In many ways, participants drew from university courses, field experiences, or both to help them make sense of their…

In "Redesigning Supervision", active professionals in teacher education and professional development share research-based, alternative models for restructuring the way pre-service teachers are supervised. The authors examine the methods currently used and discuss how teacher educators have striven to change or renew these procedures. They then…

A descriptive study was employed to investigate beginning teachers' experiences with reading instruction in their teacher preparation programs and to determine what areas of need have emerged now that they are practicing teachers. Data collection instruments included a reflective survey and telephone interviews. Beginning teachers perceived…

Field experiences have been shown to impact mathematics preservice teachers' beliefs and perceptions about teaching and field experiences, but there is little research evidence of what preservice teachers learn about teaching mathematics from these experiences. This lack of research makes the mathematics field experiences a productive sight for…

In contrast to the increasing diversity of students, the implementation and consequences of federal and state policies such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Comprehensive School Reform Act, have created a push for standardization in pedagogy and curriculum that serve culturally and linguistically diverse students. Effects of NCLB policies…

In this study, the authors examine the influence of teacher and student communication patterns, instructional practices, and teacher pedagogical content knowledge on students' mathematics learning in both general and special education mathematics classrooms. Five pre-service special education teachers in field placements and 43 students with…

A teacher education program was developed to implement the competencies for nontraditional, career adults who have an undergraduate degree in a content area. The program features three main areas of instruction: (1) curriculum and foundations; (2) specialization area; and (3) application of theory. Each of these areas is presented through…

This article explores the impact of high-stakes gate-keeping assessments (of both K-12 students and new teachers) on teacher development of equitable teaching practices. Drawing from two studies of field experiences in Washington State--one of teacher interns and one of cooperating teachers--findings include that state level policies in response…

This paper describes teacher professional development through field-based education within the expected standards of the teaching profession, drawing from research and experience with current trends and practices in teacher education and student learning. Today's teachers must be prepared to play a more vital role in diverse 21st-century schools.…