Asking the stakeholders: Initiating collaboration

Abstract

The persons most directly affected by teacher education or preservice field experiences are seldom asked to identify problems within those experiences and to help plan strategies to solve those problems. This study was developed to involve those persons in such a collaborative effort. In phase one of this study, 39 teachers and teacher education students identified problem areas of the preservice field experience and suggested strategies for improvements. In phase two, 55 participants completed a survey on who should be responsible for teacher education and then discussed how they would design a teacher education program. Findings indicated that teachers believed they should share responsibility in all aspects of teacher education. Discussions focused on broadening the base of the field experience, the perception that university professors are out of touch with the public schools, and a sentiment that teachers should participate with university methods teachers in the preparation of the prospective teacher.