This descriptive case study delved into the perceptions of Dual Certification Practicum students. The researcher examined the insight of the preservice teachers with regards to the practicum course. The Participants are three Southwestern University students that are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Elementary Education program. The students…

Many university faculties of education across Australia employ a model of internship for final semester pre-service teacher education students to help them make a smooth transition into the teaching profession. While a growing body of research has explored pre-service teachers' experiences of their practicum, including the internship, which is the…

Universities worldwide are developing peer mentoring programmes to assist first-year students' transition into university life. Awareness of the mentees' experiences in the mentoring programme--the successes and challenges--contributes to ongoing planning for successful transition for first-year students. Also, understanding the mentors'…

Descriptions are given of two graduate level teacher education programs, at Memphis State University, Tennessee, which have teaching experience components relying heavily on mentoring as a support system for preservice teachers. The Master of Arts in Teaching program provides three teaching experiences which build to a fourth, 5-month long…

Describes a cross-cultural teacher-education project in Saskatchewan, Canada, in which a teacher team mentors a group of upper-level education students working in multicultural classrooms. Observes that the evolving participant structures of the research move beyond those in the initially proposed mentorship model. (DSK)

The University of Maine redesigned its teacher preparation program to emphasize field experiences, occurring every semester, that gradually socialize students into the teacher role, provide a support system for preservice teachers, and lessen the transitional shock often suffered by beginning teachers. Student comments are included. (SV)

This paper discusses the benefits of mentoring and tutoring for prospective teachers. Section 1 examines the general benefits of mentoring and tutoring for the mentors and tutors. The benefits include greater tolerance and empathy for individuals and groups in society, greater social awareness, better communication skills, greater self-confidence,…

This paper discusses writing partnerships consisting of preservice English teachers who are in the Composition (or Grammar) course for the English Teacher, a 300-level course, and students in Written Communication 101 or 102. The paper presents a concept of writing partnerships which does not merely replicate collaborative learning since the…

A sequence of selective/retention steps are described which are used to reduce the number of student teacher "wash outs" in the Wright State University (Ohio) school of education. (1) A 2.25 grade point average (out of 4.0 points) is required for admission to the school, and an entry level grammar/composition test, which identifies at…

A graduate program component that assigned mentors to preservice special education teachers of students with severe disabilities is described. Characteristics of effective mentoring programs, the mentoring needs of preservice teachers of students with severe disabilities, and the mentorship program components are discussed. An evaluation of the…

The Teacher Apprenticeship Program of the North York (Ontario) schools was evaluated. The program provided practical classroom experiences for applicants to the Faculty of Education of the University of Toronto who were academically acceptable, but lacked sufficient experience with children to qualify for admittance in 1988-89. Apprentices worked…

This paper explores the possibilities presented in examining taken for granted aspects of pre-service teacher practicum practices, especially in terms of naming and positioning within teacher education, as they present at a regional university in Ballarat, Australia. The University of Ballarat has introduced a new P-10 teacher education course…

This study explores the background of minority teacher education candidates; their experience in teacher education courses and how the program met student goals and expectations; cultural conflicts they experienced in participating in teacher education; and the mentoring and support systems that the participants used or needed. Interviews held…

A broad range of research efforts are currently examining the quality and nature of the mathematics instructional program in the early grades. The purpose of this paper was to report on the assessment of a teaching-learning program in grade one classrooms. The major goals of the study were to: (1) identify patterns and change in children's…

This volume contains papers submitted to the 12th Annual International Conference of the Bulgarian Comparative Education Society (BCES), held in Sofia and Nessebar, Bulgaria, in June 2014, and papers submitted to the 2nd International Partner Conference, organized by the International Research Centre 'Scientific Cooperation,' Rostov-on-Don,…