Making a Difference in Educational Quality Through Teacher Education

Abstract

Is teacher education beneficial and worthwhile? What standards are being established for admitting students to teacher education programs? What is the relationship of these standards to teacher effectiveness? These questions and others implicit in the debate regard ing the efficacy of teacher preparation programs are discussed by Evertson, Hawley and Zlotnik. The authors review the extensive body of research surround ing preparation programs, make propo sals for strengthening teacher prepara tion, and offer words of caution to those endorsing many of the popular proposals for teacher education reform, including advocates of alternative credentialing.