Twenty-first century classrooms are filled with increasingly diverse student populations. Effective teacher preparation programs must include explicit course work in culturally responsive pedagogies and field experiences that place educators in new sociocultural contexts. Field experiences in cross-cultural, place-based settings have the potential…

Classroom assessment, especially formative assessment, is one of the most challenging areas for new teachers, so it is imperative that teacher educators model effective classroom assessment practices. This article describes the use of rubrics in formative assessment, to support candidates in their progress toward mastery of course outcomes and to…

A majority of the teacher education programs in this country reside in liberal arts institutions. Most pride themselves on the benefits from having small and nurturing programs with strong relationships with students and an emphasis on teaching. There are many types of preparation programs situated within liberal arts institutions and also a wide…

The author describes an interactive intervention strategy to assist pre-service teachers in developing reflective practices in an undergraduate literacy course. The goal of the study was to encourage deeper analysis rather than purely descriptive summaries of field placements in teacher candidates' written reflections, so pre-service teachers may…

Religious, moral and/or ethical beliefs often drive the mission of independent colleges, and independent colleges educate students from racial and ethnic minorities almost the same as at four-year state institutions. The proportion of low- and middle-income students at private colleges and universities is almost the same as at four-year state…

This paper examines the potential for and challenges of using a critical approach to service-learning, based on Freire's notions of praxis and dialogue, as part of an introductory education course. Although any service-learning project runs the risk of falling prey to the more traditional approach, which involves a pedagogy designed to enhance…

Although teachers may strive to create inclusive, multi-cultural classrooms, they may lack the requisite knowledge and skills to successfully accomplish the task. Drawing on case study research that illuminates challenges encountered by White teachers of multicultural literature, I propose a comprehensive diversity component for teacher education.…

Smaller institutions of higher education, such as those that comprise the AILACTE membership, prepare teacher and school leadership candidates to create vibrant learning communities in P-12 classrooms and schools, accomplished in part through well-structured and carefully mentored induction experiences. To optimize candidate and unit outcomes, new…

This research project examined how student and practicing teachers interacted and learned reading methodologies during an intensive literacy institute. When developing this learning opportunity, careful consideration was given to best practices and calls for reform in teacher education. The curriculum focused on fostering extensive knowledge…