A comprehensive analysis of literature on field experiences for the preservice teacher is divided into sections which focus on the: (1) influences of field experiences on the attitudes and behavior of preservice teachers; (2) roles of university student teacher supervisors and cooperating teachers; (3) structure of field experience programs and models; (4) evaluation of student teacher performance during field experience; and (5) assessment of the success of field experiences. A summary section includes the conclusion that field experience in teacher education is threatened by "the lack of commitment by higher education, the low status of clinical faculty, the lack of objective evaluation criteria, the loss of control to teacher unions and state legislatures, and the lack of relationship between field and campus study." In addition to 11 recommendations for improving field programs, descriptions of 17 exemplary field experience programs in the United States and Canada are appended, along with references. (JD)