The study examines the extent to which elementary education teacher preparation programs in 36 randomly selected colleges and universities in the six Southeast Region states integrate content related to students with disabilities. Findings indicate that a variety of strategies are utilized to integrate disability content into teacher preparation…

This article describes collaborative efforts to frame university teacher preparation program activities within transfer of learning and transformative learning theories to promote teacher leadership. Specifically, we describe (a) a community sponsored, public school, campus-based experience during an introductory teacher preparation course; (b) a…

This interpretive study of a 22-year-old male student teacher in an elementary setting examines how he dealt with the contradictions inherent in the role of "student teacher" by making tacit "treaties" with the cooperating teacher. Data were collected through interviews and observations. Field notes taken during the 5th through…

Like student teaching, early field experiences are a universal feature of teacher preparation. These experiences are intended to serve several purposes. They provide teacher candidates with opportunities for career exploration, bridge the gap between theory and classroom practice, meet state licensing requirements, and, like student teaching,…

This report describes a campus-based, student-centered model for practicums for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). It incorporates teaching and non-teaching activities and develops the self-knowledge and skills associated with effective classroom practice. The distinguishing feature of the program is the combination of…

A practicum was developed to help preservice teachers practice reading theories learned in the college classroom during the three-week field experience portion of the class. Preservice teachers at a Christian college in a small, rural, midwestern town had few opportunities to implement theories learned during field experience. A literature review…

Fifty-seven elementary education students enrolled in methods courses were asked to respond to an open-ended questionnaire to identify what knowledge and skills had been learned as a result of participating in field experiences required in the courses. Students provided 516 individual statements, with 245 being knowledge statements, which included…

This symposium addresses the historical development of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) Professional Development School (PDS) in collaboration with the Hamilton County Public Schools. The study goes from PDS I, a semester-long initial field experience, to a major component of the teacher preparation program with the addition of PDS…

This paper describes the professional experiences of teacher education interns at Wright State University in Ohio, who entered the field from prior professions or training. The paper addresses the use of Praxis III/Pathwise in the training and orientation of both Professional Educator Program (PEP) interns and professional clinical faculty…

Findings of a study that examined the effect of participation in Danforth Foundation-sponsored principal training programs on participants' perceptions of leadership and administrative behaviors are presented in this paper. The field-based program aims to increase minority representation in educational leadership. Interviews, on-site observation,…

In order to determine if any innovative changes were occurring in early field experiences and student teaching programs, two surveys were conducted. Directors of field experiences at Ohio four-year colleges and universities were surveyed with 43 out of the 47 Ohio directors responding. Ninety-seven colleges and universities across the United…

The value of field experience in administrator preparation programs is assessed in this paper, which examines commonly held beliefs about field experience. The following values of field experience--that it assesses career commitment, refines school goals, provides practice in real settings, and develops personal and professional competence--are…

Internship and field experience practices of University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) member institutions in the United States are examined in this report. Questionnaires were completed by 44 out of 47 chairpersons of educational administration departments at 44 UCEA member schools, a 93.6 percent response rate. Data were compared…

A program using cultural anthropology and ethnographic techniques to prepare teachers for positions in the small elementary and secondary schools characteristic of the mountain west and high plains is presented. As part of this program, a freshman level education requirement introduces students to the special character and positive aspects of…

This environmental teaching guide is designed to help Illinois teachers promote wise land-use planning at the secondary level. Program objectives, background information, activities and games for use in and outside of the classroom, a simulated problem-solving exercise, resource lists, and a test with answers are included. (JW)