The article (1) examines the inquiry process and discusses questions raised by the National Commission for Secondary Vocational Education; (2) identifies implications for policy research, educational research, and evaluation research; and (3) offers observations about research on vocational education in secondary schools. (Author/CH)

Describes a field placement for preservice health, physical education, and secondary education teachers that offered the opportunity to develop positive attitudes and competence in working with exceptional people through direct contact with emotionally disturbed individuals. Explains the program's goals, setting, arrangements, and activities.…

Teacher criticisms towards education courses were studied by comparing students' experiences in three different approaches to teacher education. Findings indicate that criticism was directed at symptoms rather than at causes. Integration of theory and practice at the teacher education level was given as a possible remedy. (DF)

To assist educators interested in developing alternative student teaching centers within the United States or abroad, the article provides a "how-to-do-it" listing of activities in order to deal with expectations and responsibilities prior to and during student teaching in alternative sites and evaluation and program follow-up. (MH)

Central Missouri State University faculty forged partnerships with teachers in urban charter schools in Kansas City in an effort to ensure that early childhood teacher candidates' field experiences would take place in school environments with diverse populations of students. During the spring 2001 semester, early childhood teacher candidates were…

The South Carolina Rural Interdisciplinary Program in Training (SCRIPT) provides practical educational experiences for students from multiple health care majors in rural communities in the Low Country (Southern region) of South Carolina. Faculty from the Medical University of South Carolina joined with staff from the Low Country Area Health…

The Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP) is managed by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development as part of its mandate to foster science and technology in the Canadian North. NSTP supports Canadian universities in providing training that gives advanced and graduate students the opportunity to gain professional experience in…

A study was conducted concerning the development, implementation, and evaluation of a preservice teacher field practicum for a content area reading course. The evaluation includes supervising and preservice teachers' survey results identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the field placement. Survey participants included 11 students enrolled in…

This paper describes the effectiveness of using teacher work sample methodology (TWSM) with special education teacher candidates seeking their first teaching license, noting that TWSM allows assessment of all eight special education outcomes. TWSM links the assessment steps in concrete ways, with teacher candidates accountable for planning…

This study examined the relationships between providers of primary and secondary teacher education and the schools with which they shared preservice training programs. The study addressed how schools and teachers were selected for the practicums; financial and training contributions made by providers to the schools; relationships between providers…

Teacher education in the U.S. faces a critical dilemma: preparing white, middle-class preservice teachers to teach increasingly diverse student populations in public schools. Early field experiences (EFEs) show promise for addressing this mismatch, yet little is actually known about what happens to preservice teachers in practicum experiences.…

A graduate children's-studies course at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia implemented a rural and remote practicum to expose students to the special needs of children and families in rural communities. Many graduates will eventually work in the country, and prospective rural employers look for graduates with experience in rural settings.…

This paper explores the interactions between preservice and inservice teachers in a non-school setting as a part of the EarthVision 2000 project. The involvement of inservice teachers in teacher education plays an important role in the knowledge of field experiences. Creating a program for the initial preparation of preservice teachers for…

A study of 10 social studies education students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign focused on consequences of pairing student teachers in a field experience program. Most of the findings suggest that the paired student teacher concept may have constructive implications for budgetary considerations and peer support relationships. (FG)