Although the importance of field experience is supported and attended to by teacher education programs across the United States, there have been numerous national reports and research findings stressing the need for major improvements in the preparation of teachers with an emphasis on more authentic experiences. Quality field experiences have the…

To evaluate the impact of the emergent national teacher performance assessment (TPA) on student teachers, this study examined a pilot implementation at one university in Washington State during Spring 2011. The qualitative research focused on the lived experience of those directly affected by TPA implementation: student teachers, mentor teachers,…

The purpose of this 3-year investigation was to determine if a relationship exists between teacher reflectivity and the classroom performance of novice teachers when final evaluations are aligned with national standards. This study included 98 novice teachers enrolled in their final field-based teaching experience. Participants reflected over two…

A study on the effects of increased field experiences on the perceptions and performance of 238 secondary school student teachers indicated that an increased number of required field experiences had little impact on student teachers' evaluations of their teaching ability or on supervising teachers' final evaluations of student teachers'…

New teacher education programs include a number of field experiences. College professors in schools of education are taking leaves of absence to gain additional public school teaching experience. Both the college professor and the public school teacher benefit from this practice. (JN)

Using data from a study of two white student teachers in inner city classrooms, the paper analyzes differences in their success through the model of assisted performance (where knowledge is acquired through interaction between more competent and novice individuals in learning situations). Cooperating teachers powerfully influenced student…

Five syntheses of research on teaching are reviewed, with findings relevant to middle level teacher education highlighted. Implications for teacher education are discussed. Topics include preservice field experiences, adolescent student motivation, effective use of class time, effective teaching behavior and student achievement. (IAH)

Investigated differences in reflections of preservice teachers' teaching effectiveness during a field experience, Kids' College, which provided a supportive forum in which preservice teachers, who had full ownership of their teaching, could implement innovations in a multi-age environment. Data from reflective journals, interviews, and…