The success of Finland in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) highlights the quality of Finnish teacher education underpinning its consistently high performance in the survey. In 2010 the UK government initiated a masters in teaching and learning (MTL) in order to raise the education level of teachers, following Finland's…

Examines the history of Swedish teacher education, looking at a new teacher education that began in 1988 for elementary and middle school teachers educated to teach grade 1-7. The article focuses on four paradigms (traditional craft; academic; progressive, critical-social; and personalistic), and it discusses teacher education regulated and…

The political context in which European cooperative educational activities occur has changed significantly. After the Lisbon Council established a goal for the European Union to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy worldwide and recognized the importance of education and training, this field gained new political…

Examines the political transformation in Latvia that brought increased democratization and decentralization and resulted in changes to the educational system and teachers' professional roles and responsibilities. The paper notes difficulties encountered by teachers in assimilating reforms within their professional identity and analyzes the…

Discusses Germany's educational system, highlighting demands for more school autonomy. Over a decade ago, there were calls for more school autonomy, but only lately have educators and researchers realized this demand is in line with political discussions on the issue, which are linked to the European context in which educational policies are…

Drawing on insights from Albanian teacher educators and government representatives, this paper examines processes of change and types of reform (modernization, structural, and systemic reform) in Albania. It also discusses the initial implementation of one of the reforms, which was directed at the balance and role of school experiences, analyzing…

Describes measures adopted in Austria to help ensure school success for all, examining measures taken at the structural and school levels. Discusses indicators for success and failure, changes in Austria's education system, and the monitoring and evaluation of change. Argues that coherent educational, social, and economic policies are a…

Fighting against school failure has become a priority in Italy. This paper examines criteria for reorganizing the problem of school failure, and its incidence in Italy's primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary schools. Discusses some initiatives for fighting school failure that are contained in current legislation and pilot projects. (SM)

Presents conclusions about school failure in European countries reached by the European Symposium on School Failure. The conclusions focus on the conceptualization of school failure, acceptance of the problem by governments, frequently adopted solutions, more coherent solutions, and implications for teacher education (prerequisites, the…

Examines the effects of British government attempts to make teacher education more school based. Surveys of students at one such program indicated that while it offers great insight into school life, it may sacrifice the development of students' analytical and theoretical understanding of education promoted within higher education-based work.…

Examines the ambiguity over the role of headteachers in Spain by evaluating recent legislation, the impact of Franco's legacy on education, and the current preoccupation with democratic government at all levels. The paper highlights important attitude changes toward the role of the headteacher now occurring (mainly at local levels). (Author/SM)

This paper describes prevailing models of teacher education programs in Israel and notes differences in their student teaching components. Suggests that the variability is due to different views regarding professional, epistemological, and sociopolitical factors, which result in a variety of teacher education programs, especially practicum…

Examines Northern Ireland's teacher education reform from 1992-95, noting similarities and differences with developments in England and Wales and describing debates on partnership in teacher education. The paper highlights policy development in Northern Ireland and interactions between those involved in advising government and implementing policy.…

The norm of relevance is central to teachers' professional identities, and therefore, decisions about the form of inservice education for teachers (INSET) are crucial for professional autonomy. Relevance is affected by notions of practicality, age, gender, seniority, and area of specialization. Teachers' views of relevent INSET are examined and…

The ways that teacher education is distinctly different from the other activities of higher education and is subject to greater external management and control are explored. The case is made that coercive external intervention damages quality and that the profession has the capacity for quality control. (Author/MT)