Teacher Education in America: Reform Agendas » (REV)

Christopher J. Lucas is Head of the Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling and Foundations and Professor of Education Studies at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Teacher preparation has always furnished a target for lively criticism. From the days of the first teachers’ "normal" schools in the late 1830s to the elaborate preparatory programs offered in contemporary schools and universities, the question of how best to train classroom teachers for the nation’s schools has been a topic of continuing controversy. In Teacher Education in America, Christopher Lucas offers valuable insights into this ongoing debate. Including an illuminating account of the history of teacher education in the United States, Teacher Education in America is a thought-provoking analysis of the major issues and problems surrounding teacher preparation. Lucas reveals the traditional four-year undergraduate programs--as well as the short-term "alternative" teacher certification routes--to be largely insufficient to the needs of the nation’s schools. In addition, he studies and critiques the so-called "field-based" models which have been touted as the wave of the future. Concluding with a thoughtful assessment of what may lie ahead, Lucas offers a challenging and provocative new direction for teacher education reform for the twenty-first century.

Booknews

Overviews the history of teacher education and analyzes major issues surrounding teacher preparation. Reveals traditional four-year undergraduate programs, as well as short-term "alternative" teacher certification routes, to be largely insufficient to the needs of teachers entering schools. Studies and critiques field-based models that have been touted as the wave of the future, and assesses what may lie ahead. The author is head of the Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling and Foundations, and professor of education studies, at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)