A synthesis of conclusions, reached during small group discussions at a working conference on student teaching, concerns: (1) a system for identifying, monitoring, and assessing cooperating teachers; (2) the cooperating teacher's status (authority, rewards, and collegial interaction); (3) expectations for cooperating teachers' behavior (technical, analytical, imitative, or reflective); (4) systematic preparation and training for cooperating teachers; (5) realistic means to attract prospective teachers who are intellectually able, socially responsible, and sensitive to the complex requirements of teaching and learning; (6) student teachers' lack of preparation in essential knowledge and skill areas; (7) effective field-based learning experiences; (8) student teachers' peer group systems; (9) student teachers as a substantive and procedural link between colleges and school systems; (10) system of student teacher placement; (11) university supervisor's role, knowledge, skills, status, and selection; (12) matching of colleges' and public schools' goals, practices, and beliefs associated with the student teacher; (13) influence and communication between college and school systems; (14) student teachers' understanding of school and classroom context; and (15) closer communication between program designers and program implementers. (JD)