This article describes procedures used at Pennsylvania State University to assess basic skills of applicants to the secondary school teacher education program. Tests given prior to student teaching assignments measure reading, writing, and speaking competencies. Test development and validation activities are explained. (PP)

National trends in setting admissions standards for preservice teacher education programs are reported, based on a survey of 147 member institutions of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Grade-point requirements, use of written language and mathematics tests, enrollment trends, and other factors affecting admissions…

The University of New Hampshire's five-year teacher education program attracts students who are academically able and compare favorably with students in other graduate departments. The program is described, and information about students' attitudes and aspirations is given. (PP)

Surveyed education majors (N=42) to determine what influenced their career choice. Found courses on practicum experiences in college were not significant factors for most students. Most cited their own elementary and secondary experiences as students, as well as other experiences outside the teacher education program. (Author/JAC)

Describes TAPE (Theory and Practicum Elementary), an innovative field-based teacher training option at Texas Tech University. Students electing to take the TAPE program can complete all of their professional development courses in a field-based setting. The TAPE program emphasizes the processes of learning. Includes recommendations for planning…

Investigated the effectiveness of exercises designed to promote group cohesiveness, compared to systematic human relations training for preservice teachers. Found the experimental group showed greater posttest scores on empathic responding and attitudes toward students. Suggests group exercises may have affected the participants as they perceived…

In lieu of the Curriculum and Instruction course, University of Hawaii education majors may serve as interns at Kailua High School's alternative program, Community Quest (CQ). Interns learn to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum. This article describes the CQ course and presents evaluative comments from some interns. (Author/SJL)

The University of Hawaii's exploratory Observation-Participation Program trains education majors in observing a host teacher and working in a classroom. The author, a host teacher, describes the structure and content of the experience she presented to her trainees, secondary speech-communication majors. (SJL)

Describes the use of portfolio assessment in preservice teacher education, specifically elementary science methods courses. Presents both theoretical and practical considerations relative to ensuring the highest possible levels of validity. Includes a set of practical validation focus questions and comments from student portfolios. Contains 33…

Scientific illiteracy in society begins in grade school, but preservice elementary teachers typically take only one or two disconnected science courses towards certification. Faculty from four disciplines developed an integrated science course tailored for elementary education majors. Students learn the importance of a well-rounded scientific…

Twenty European American teachers-in-training estimated the grade point averages and IQs of four African American students significantly lower than those of four European American children. In another study, racial attitudes of 58 European American education majors predicted their evaluations of compositions by African American students, Results…

Fourteen word problems, half of which were problematic from a realistic point of view, were administered to 332 Belgian preservice elementary school teachers who also saw answers given by 4 students. Results revealed a strong tendency to exclude real-world knowledge from spontaneous solutions and appreciations of student-supplied answers. (SLD)

A survey of 96 graduate and undergraduate students in special education and general education courses found relatively consistent agreement or disagreement among the four groups concerning philosophical assumptions of the Regular Education Initiative but differences on the actual placement of students with disabilities in the general education…

Presents strategies to create a classroom environment in which preservice teachers can break the taboo of silence and begin discussion of cultural diversity issues, drawing on faculty experience. A community atmosphere and mutual respect are key elements in encouraging open discussion. (SLD)

Preservice teachers' beliefs and knowledge about educational equity and their experiences with equal education were studied with 992 education majors at four colleges. Results show that preservice teachers are no more accepting of diversity than is the general population. (SLD)