Designed to promote equitable and fair student teacher practicum supervision and evaluation, contextual supervision (CS) can be used by both college and school-based supervisors. This approach is supported by current reforms in teacher education, contemporary supervisory models, and validation in actual practice. (IAH)

In contextual supervision (CS) (an adaptation of situational leadership), the student teacher's (supervisee's) level of confidence and competence determines level of supervisory support and task orientation. CS also encourages a global view of all contextual variables. Observation of 49 untrained pairs of practicum students and cooperating…

This article examines the contextual supervision (CS) model that has been developed and applied in several practicum settings of teacher education programs over the past 12 years. The study synthesizes the research findings on the potential effectiveness of CS in assisting faculty supervisors and classroom cooperating teachers with the task of…

Reviews the literature on the professionalization of student teachers during practicum experiences. Outlines basic professional attributes of teaching; examines key theoretical assumptions about the development of young adults; and recommends teacher-educator practices to increase motivation, effective communication, active engagement, and…

Reports a study that examined and considered improvements to supervision of Canadian beginning teachers during the three-year transition phase into formal teaching. Existing supervisory practice, as determined by a survey, was compared to that recommended in the literature. Results suggest a need for strong, collaborative supervision efforts…

In contextual supervision (an adaptation of situational leadership), supervising teachers synchronize their leadership style to the teacher-intern's level of skill development. Application of the method with 15 Native student teachers helped the supervisor to identify contextual factors enhancing or impeding student-teacher progress, and…

Conflicts or disagreements between student teachers and university supervisors in the Extended Practicum program, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan, are often attributed to factors such as "personality clash," laziness, stubbornness, authoritarianism, prejudice, stereotyping, dogmatism, or malice. In reality, many of these…

Describes the University of Saskatchewan's thoughts on adopting Contextual Supervision (CS) to encourage professional growth in preservice teachers within an extended practicum program. CS emphasizes that supervisory decisions must be based upon universally accepted human values. The article examines studies conducted as part of a two-phase…