Studies of Excellence in Teacher Education: Preparation in a Five-Year Program.

Abstract

This book presents case studies of two highly successful teacher education programs. It is part of a three-volume series that includes seven case studies. It documents the goals, strategies, content, and processes of teacher education programs that are widely acknowledged as exemplars for preparing prospective teachers to engage in skillful, learnercentered practice. Using observations, interviews, and surveys, researchers examined all aspects of each program of study and clinical practice. The book documents the capabilities of prospective teachers who graduate from these programs by examining the teachers' own work during teacher education and in the field, interviews with faculty and administrators in the schools where graduates teach, and surveys of principals. The book also examines what policies, organizational features, resources, and relationships have enabled these programs to succeed. Features common to the programs include a clear, shared vision of good teaching; well-defined standards of practice and performance; extended clinical experiences; and extensive use of case study, teacher research, performance assessment, and portfolio evaluation. The two case studies are Trinity University: Preparing Teachers for Tomorrow's Schools (Julia E. Koppich) and Teacher Education at the University of Virginia: A Study of English and Mathematics Preparation (Kathleen K. Merseth and Julia E. Koppich). (Papers contains references.) (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.