DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 244 927 SP 024 395

AUTHOR Patterson, R. S.; And OthersTITLE The Education of Teachers in Alberta: A Model for the

Future.INSTITUTION Alberta Dept. of Education, Edmonton.PUB DATE May 84NOTE 21p.PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.DESCRIPTORS Admission Criteria; *Educational Change; *Educational

Improvement; Educational Philosophy; FacultyDevelopment; Foreign Countries; Higher Education;*Preservice Teacher Education; *ProgramEffectiveness; *Program Evaluation; Program Length;Research Projects; Teacher Certification; TeacherCharacteristics

IDENTIFIERS Alberta; Canada

ABSTRACTThis report summarizes 10 recommendations made by

select committee of Deans of Education from Alberta (Canada)universities for a model for preparing teachers in the province.Comments on the expected implications of each recommendation areprovided. Recommendations were made in the areas of: (1) philosophyof teacher education; (2) entry requirements to faculties ofeducation; (3) personal attributes of prospective teachers; (4)lengthening the program to five years of university education; (5)professional component of teacher education (two full academicyears); (6) emphasis on the theory-practice relationship; (7) renewalof teacher certification every five years on the basis of successfulperformance in the classroom and professional development activities;(8) ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of teacher educationprograms at the universities; (9) province-wide coordination ofteacher education; and (Ili) establishing a $10 minion trust fund forapplied research on teaching and learning. (JD)

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THE EDUCATION OF TEACHERS IN ALBERTA:

A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE

Prepared by:Er. R. S. PattersonD. RF.__LawsonDr; Eric MokoschDr; G. MOrcos

In Cooperation withDr. RenoBosetti)_Deputy Minister Of Education

"PERMISSION JO _REPRODUCE THISMATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED RY

has -71i

TO THE EDUCATIONALRESOURCES

INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."

U.S. DEPARTMENT OE EDUCATLON_NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF _EDUCATION_

EDUC iONAL RESOURCES IN:,ORMATIONCENTER (ERIC)

This dor:rim/int has been reproduced asleCt,11 horn the person or organizationourpod11119 it

MrlorChfinmw: luivr ht!fm oracle to .Mhf.VeU4,0,1110.11 tith.l.,

Points of yew or °Onions stated In this ducuMe., (19 v., necessarily represent official NIEposition or policy.

May 1984

THE EDUCATION OF TEACHERS IN ALBERTA:

A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE

Executive Summary

In September, 1983, the Honourable David King invited the Deans ofEducation at Alberta universities to work with the Deputy Minister of Education indeveloping a model for preparing teachers in the province. The intention of thisinitiative was to take a significant step forward in enhancing both the professionalqualifications and the performance of teachers.

Alberta has a record of being a leader in education in general and inteacher education in particular. At the same time, few would disagree that thequality of education in North America, including our province, has been under attack.Consequently, government has again demonstrates its leadership in education byinitiating major reviews of the junior and senior high school programs and of theSchool Act, Comprehensive evaluation policies have been developed which will ensureregular and consistent evaluation of students, teachers, programs, schools, and schcolsystems.

To complement these key activities it is essential to examine the currentapproach to teacher preparation in this province and to initiate action to help prepareteachers for both present and future challenges;

The attached report outlines a series of recommendations which aredesigned to provide the bold step that is needed. Taken together, therecommendations represent a commitment to excellence in the education of Alberta'steachers and, in turn, to excellence in formal education in general. The reportdescribes a comprehensive policy designed to ensure that Alberta remains a leader inthe education of teachers.

The following summarizes the recommendations included in the report andprovides comments on the expected implications of each recommendation.

RECOMMEISIDATInN-

1. That those responsible for teachereducation in the universities ensure that anoverriding philosophy of teacher educationis enunciated, inchxling a description oftt intended outcomes of each componentand of the total program and, as well,provide for an evaluation of candidates todetermine the extent to which theseresults have been achieved.

2. That all candidates seeking admission to ateacher education program leading toinitial certification must present either:

a high school grade XII average of 70%or better in five _grade 12 subjects, fourof which must be examination subjects;English 30 (or a French equivalent atthe 30 level) with a minimum of 70%must be included as one of the five; or

b. at least three years of university courseWork with an overall grade pointaverage of at least 2.5 on a four-pointScale or 5.5 on a nine-point scale, andinicluding proof of oral and writtenproficiency in English or French.

3. That slection procedures at the time ofadmission and screening activities duringthe early years of ttie pre-service program,should include_ identification of thepersonal attributes of a successful teacher,e.g., insight, curiosity and a_criticalenthusiasm, imagination and creativity,maturity and judgment, and tolerance andunderstanding of others:

IMPLICATIONS

Clear ObjectiveS will be developed forteacher education programs, and theemphasis will be on how well theseobjectives are attained by theseprograms; Students will be evaluated onthe basis of how well they meet theObjectives of a program. A strongersense Of purpose and direction isexpected.

Experience and research have shown thatselection of candidates for teachereducation programs is a key Variable inthe eventual success Of teacherS. Thisrecommendation Will ensure thatcandidates admitted to the programs willhave the necessary high academic_fications. In the longer term, it willresult in improvements to the teachingprofession as a whole;

Recognizing that other factors areinvolved in producing an effectiveteacher, this recommendation will resultin more Screening of potential teacherson the basis of personal attributes.Taken tbgether$ Recommendations 2 and3 should result in the careful SelectiOnand evaluation of candidates for theteaching profession.

RECOMMENDATION

4. That the program of teacher educationrequire five years of university education,comprising: _a. three years of general university educa-

tion, iricltiding an area of concentrationand basic liberal education; and,

b. two years of professional preparation,including thirteen weeks of practicum.

5; That the professional component of pre-service teacher education programs shouldbe equivalent to two full academic yearsand Sliciuld be built upon a core of coursescommon to all candidates which will enablethem to acquire:a. a mastery of essential, beginning

teaching cAills;b. an understanding of teaching as a

reflective, inquiring, intelligent act;c a knowledge of the social, historical

and ideological context of the schcol;d. an understanding of the profession of

teaching and of professional ethice. a social consciousness and critical

perspective leadir to the questioningof traditional practices;

f. a continuing interest in and pursuit ofknowledge about teaching and learning;a knowledge of the curriculum and ofthe learner, as well as an understandingof the highly individualistic characterof learning;

h. an awareness of various instructionalmodes and an ability to incorporatemodern technological advances intoeffective instructional design ;.

i. an awareness of various techniques forevaluating stuck.nt achievement anddiagnosing learning abilities anddiSabilitiet, and an iinckTstariding ofways of adapting programs to meetstudents' n-eedS; and,a sensitivity to, an understanding of,and a tolerance for unique human andcultural values

g-

IMPLICATIONS

Current requirements are for four yearsof university education. This recommen-dation affirms the current professionalcomponent and strengthens the academiccomponent in recognition of the growthof knowledge and the need to ensure thatteachers have a firm basis of liberaleducation as well as an adequateunderstanding of their area ofspecialization; No cost implications areanticipated for the universities;however, there may be cost implicationsfor school boards in terms of the currentsalary grid. Provisions would have to beincluded for upgrading the qualificationsof current teachers.

This recommendation specifies theexpectations for the professional aspectof teacher preparation programs. Theprofessional component will be designedto ensure that teacher candidates meetthese expectations, and the effective-7ness of the programs will be evaluatedagainst these criteria. The goai is toprepare teachers who are well-informedabout society, our knowledge inheritanceand the context of the school; whopossess effective teaching, learning, andcommunications skills; and who are ableand inclined to use these in teachingothers;

RECOMMENDATION

6. That the design and implementation ofteacher edbrcatio-n programs th6uldemphasize the relationships betweentheory and practice in the following ways:a. Professors of education in universities

should ensure that students masteressential knowledge and that theyunderstand applications of thiskrbowledge to the act of teaching.

b. The practicum sKould afford an arenaWhre cooperating tea.chers modelappropriate behavior and, erriallyimpm-tant, help pre-service teachers toappreciate the interface betweentheory and practice;

7. a. That all teachers in Alberta undergoevaluation of their teaching effective-ness and professional develoinnentevery five years; and that renewal of ateaching certificate be dependent uponthe teacher's acquisition of a specifiednumber of credit points for professionalckvelopment by the time of eachevaluatinn.

b. That the MiniSter of Educationestablish tlfe procedures to devise a fairand equitable system of evaluation.

IMPLICATIONS

This recommendation will result in acloser integration of theories aboutteaching and the actual practice ofteaching; This approach will be thefocus of the professional component andthe practicum in particular;

This recommendation reflects the viewthat teacherS, as professionals, should berequired to dernonstrate their effective-ness as teacherS and to upgrade theirskills and knowledge on a continual basis.It would apply to all certificatedteachersi including those working asclassroom teachers, as administrators, oras faculty members; The recornmen-=dation is consistent with the objectivesof the teacher evaluation policy and thein-service support that will be prwridedin the budget; Although there may becost implications, it is likely that thesecan be accommodated within currentprovisions for professional developmentactivities provided by school boards andassociations like the ATA and ASTA.

RECOMMENDATION

8. a That the universitiesP in collaboration nwith representatives of the Departmentof Education, teachers, and schooltrustees, develop a plan for evaluatingthe effectiveness of Atherta teachereducation programs in relation to bothpre-service and life-long provisions;and,-

. That a report be ma& to the Ministerannually in a meeting with deans ofeducation.

9. That the four university faculties whichare responsible for teacher educationprepare and periodically revise a plan forprovince-wide coordination in teachereducation. This plan should addressSpecifically the avoidance of unnecessaryduplication in provision of speciali.sttraining, and stiolild refer to the role of thecolleges in the education of teachers.

10. That the Minister of Education establish atrust fund, in the order of ten milliondollars, the interest to be used to defraythe cost of research and development forthe refinement and advancement of theeducation of teachers.

IMPLICATIONS

Recognizing that teaching is a dynamicprofession and that there is littleconclusive research on the mosteffective approach to preparingteachers; teacher preparation programsshould be evaluated continually; Thiswill ensure that the obtectives of theprogram are met and that changes inuniversity programs are made asrequired. By linking the parties in theevaluation process, this approach willensure that the Minister of Educationwill have a closer liaison with deans ofeducation and may provide analternative mechanism for performingsome of the functions of the Board ofTeacher Education and Certification.

Given the current limitations onresources, it may no longer be feasiblefor each faculty of education to providespecialist training in all areas;Additionally, the requirements forcontinual professional development mayplace added responsibilities on theuniversities and colleges across theprovince. This approach would requirethe universities to be responsible forcoordinating their programs.

The focal point of all education is theinteraction of teachers and students.Without excellent teachers, the goal ofhigh quality educe -ion cannot beachieved. At present, there are noindependent sources of funding forresearch on problems such as ways ofimproving teacher effectiveness*applications of technology and softwaredevelopments in education, secondlanguage instruction, and generalstrategies of teaching and learning.Establishment of such a fund wouldprovide support for a broad range ofapplied research designed to improveteaching and the education of children inthe province. Administratively; it couldbe based on the model developed forfunding medical and nursing research;

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PREAMBLE

Recently, the Department of Education has taken a number of steps to fosterimprovements of formal education for Albertans. Complementing these actions aresome proposed measures pertaining to teacher education. The intent of thesemeasures is to advance the professional qualifications and performance of teachers;Few would disagree with the observation that the quality of education across NorthAmerica, including our province, has been under attack. It is relatively easy in such a

period of criticism and negative comment to lose sight of the fact that our historyprovides readily apparent evidence of earlier advances and achievements.

Alberta has a record of being a leader in teacher education. This was the firstprovince to place teacher education solely within the university context and, later, torequire a minimum of four years of university education before certification. A

leadership role in teacher education has also been apparent in graduate services forteachers; our universities have developed programs recognized and used by teachersand administrators from all parts of Canada and many other countries. Given theconditions of the times we cannot afford to rest on these accomplishments. Instead,we must recognize the need for another major surge forward, for another instance ofleadership in the education of teachers; The Department of Education, theuniversities, the professional organization of teachers and the school trustees sharethe commitment to improve the qualifications and performance of those responsiblefor the formal education of our citizens;

The- Challenge

Unfortunately, the past is not without blemishes or retrograde policies relative to thepreparation and certification of teachers. There have been times when teachershortages, precipitated by burgeoning school-age numbers or by adult involvement inwartime causes, have necessitated -special arrangements to provide a teacher for everyclassroom. As necessary as it was over the first sixty years of our history as aprovince to sustain regulations which made it possible for teachers to enter the

1.

classrdom without completing high school or gaining much of a professional or generaleducation, the memory of these policies continues to impede our progress towardhigher levels of teacher pre-Oration, qualification and performance- Many of theseearly teachers were capable and successful in large measure because their professionalcommitment led them to continue their training for years after initial certification;Some would have us believe that if lower levels of education were sufficient forsuccess in earlier times, little more is needed today. OtherS are wont to deprecate thecontribution of teacherS, On the basis of observations on the performance of someindiViduals pressed, inappropriately but perhaps necessarily, into claSStoom serviceduring a time of undersupply. The loWering of standards through reducing entrancerequirements Or Shortening the period of training would have far more Seriousconsequences if adopted today. In fact, it is essential to oppose any policies,contemporary or future, which would undermine standards of excellence in teachingand in teacher preparation.

The needs of our time are readily apparent; We need teachers in Our classrooms whoare willing and able to face an inordinately heavy and diverse array of challenges;Weighing upon them and their students are the burdens of remarkable technologital

advances, of knowledge expansion, and of changes in social conditions and values;Students of widely varying ability, interest, family circumstance, personality andcharacter appear at school, demandihg educational services. Teacher education hasbeen adjusted and adapted to meet these conditions; however, as the clientele andsociety change, seemingly at exponential rates, the develOprhents in teacher educationare no longer keeping pace. Teachers, generailyi are better qualified than ever beforein our history; But, whatever the relative status of contemporary teachers as

compared to their cotinterpartS of a previous time, the prodigious requirements ofteaching in the 1980s and 1990s necessitate the introduction of provisions for teachereducation suitable to the new era. If our future educators are to be equal to the taskof playing a vital role in maintaining and ensuring the quality of human existence inour society, bold and courageous steps must be taken now to help teachers anticipateand prepare for this challenge.

The Proposal

The overall policy proposed for immediate implementation builds; where appropriate,upon knowledge and past experience, thereby reducing the risk of adopting measuresWhich might undermine sound elements in existing teacher education programs; At thesame time, some new practices and activities are introduced. Difficult as it may beto chart a certain course of change, failure to embark on such a venture is likely toensure that our practices in teacher education will become outmoded, perhaps evenanachronistic. Minor adjustment and tinkering will not suffice; the time is right fordecisive, bold leadership in an area where earlier actions of this province have pavedthe way for significant developments.

Reform in teacher education and teacher certification can contribute to theimprovement of education. Alone, however, such changes cannot achieve the desiredupgrading of the quality of formal learning in our schools. In the main, the beStcandidates for teaching careers are not being attracted or retained. Thus, effort mustbe expended, coincident with these reforms in programs and requirements, to improvethe image of teaching and the circumstances Of employment. Addressing theimportance of teacher education, and providing an obvious and visible impetus toenhancing preparation programs, constitutes an important step. While the AlbertaDepartment of Education is introducing a series of reforms affecting all spheres ofeducation, other partners in education particularly the universities, tE -chert andtrustees must sense the need for revitalization and work both independently andcooperatively to extend educational reform.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

Program Philosophy

As teacher education has grown in a university context, the elements of programs havetended to reflect the interests of particular departments or disciplines; the programswhich resulted have sometimes been collections of ccurses chosen without referenceto a unifying view of teacher education. The assumption that such a collection ofcourses constitutes a valid approach to teacher education must be challenged. Whilethere should be roo:n for student choice and exploration, especially in the generaleducation component, there are particular outcomes which can be achieved onlythrough a core of courses required of all candidates. The elements of this core shouldbe interrelated in a program which is cohesive and adaptable to changing conditions.The outcomes of the program should be demonstrable in the performance of students.

Recommendation 1:

That those responsible for teacher education in the universitiesensure that an overriding philosophy of teacher education isenunciated, including a description of the intended outcomes ofeach component and of the total program and; as well; providefor an evaluation of candidates to determine the extent towhich these results have been achieved;

Admission and Selection

Experience and research show that selection of candidates for teacher educationprograms is a key variable in the eventual success of teachers. Teaching requiresinte.11igent judgment and precision of expression as well as an interest in learning andknowledge acquisition. Such an observation is not intended to deprecate otherimportant dimensions of teacher performance and qualifications but, instead, tohighlight the need for candidates who are able to use language proficiently and whoare capable of an appropriate level of academic achievement.

4.

Recommendation 2:

That all candidates seeking admission to a teacher educationprogram leading to initial certification must present either:

a. a high school grade XII average of 70% or better in fivegrade 12 subjects, four of which must be examinationsubjects. English 30 (or a French equivalent at the 30level) with a minimum of 70% must be included as one ofthe five; or

b. at least three years of university course work with anoverall grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-pointscale or 5.5 on a nine-point scale, and including proof oforal and written proficiency in English or French.

In recognition of the importance of personal qualities to teaching success, evidence ofthese should also be sought.

Recommendation 3:

That selection procedures at the time of admission andscreening activities during the early years of the pre-serviceprogram; should include identification of the personal attributesof a successful teacher, e.g. insight, curiosity and a criticalmind; enthusiasm; imagination and creativity, maturity andjudgment, and tolerance and understanding of others.

Program Leading to Initial Certification

1. Structure

In the short period of time since the requirement for initial certification wasraised to that of a four-year B.Ed. degree or its equivalent, the number ofteachers choosing to exceed the minimum has increased dramatically.Approximately 50% of the teachers in the two largest school jurisdictions inAlberta have at least five years of university education. The growth ofknowledge and the need for teachers to have both a broad education in liberalarts and a specialization for teaching to complement their basic professionalknowledge warrants reconsideration of the minimum requirement for

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certification. Teachers must be well-educated, knowledgeable to teach in morethan one subject area, and grounded in basic teaching skills and criticalscholarship.

RecommendationAk:

That the program of teacher education require five years ofuniversity education, comprising:

a; three years of general university education, including anarea of concentration and basic/liberal education; and,

b. two years of professional preparation, including thirteenweeks of practicum.

2. Professional Component of the Program

In recent years the curricula of teacher education programs have ranged fromthose which allowed students extensive choice to others with numerous specifiedlearning objectives. Emerging from these variations is the recognition of theimportance of professional content; general studies and the practicum in teachereducation. These three components should characterize teacher educationprograms in Alberta. We should strive to prepare teachers who are well-informed about society; our knowledge inheritance and the context of the school;who possess effective teaching, learning and communication skills; and who areable and inclined to use these in teaching others;

R eco m menda flan 5:

That the professional component of pre-service teachereducation programs should be equivalent to two full academicyears and should be built upon a core of courses common to allcandidates which will enable them to acquire:

a. a mastery of essential, beginning teaching skills;

b. an understanding of teaching as a reflective, inquiring,intelligent act;

c. a knowledge of the social, historical and ideologicalcontext of the school;

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an understanding of the profession of teaching and ofprofessional ethics;

a social consciousness and critical perspective leading tothe questioning of traditional practices;

f. a continuing interest in and pursuit of knowledge aboutteaching and learning;

g. a knowledge of the curriculum and of the !earner, as wellas an understanding of the highly individuaiistic characterof learning;

h. an awareness of various instructional modes and an abilityto incorporate modern technological advances intoeffective instructional design;

1. an awareness of various techniques for evaluating studentachievement and diagnosing learning abilities anddisabilities, and an understanding of ways of adaptingprograms to meet students' needs; and,

a sensitivity to, an understanding of, and a tolerance forunique human and cultural values.

i

3. Theory and Practice

One of the main concerns voiced by students preparing to be teachers is thatthey experience difficulty in relating the content of their programs to therealities of the classroom; Students master the knowledge of their generalstudies courses, and their professional preparation, but claim an inability tograsp the necessary connection between this knowledge and teaching. Suchattitudes and orientations provide cause for concern. Successful teachingrequires individuals who have sound knowledge and skill; and who know how toreview critically their own teaching performance to ensure a continualrefinement and growth in effectiveness. Teacher education programs should bestructured and presented in a way which will ensure appropriate linking andinterrelating of knowledge gained through both formal study and practicalexperience. A constant interplay between theory and practice is essential inteacher education and in teaching; reflection on the act of teaching should be anessential outgrowth of classroom experiences both on campus and in schools.

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Recommendation 6:

That the design and implementation of teacher educationprograms should emphasize the relationships between theoryand practice in the following ways:

a. Professors of education in universities should ensure thatstudents master essential knowledge and that theyunderstand applications of this knowledge to the act ofteaching.

b. The practicum should afford an arena where cooperatingteachers model appropriate behavior and, equallyimportant, help pre-service teachers to appreciate theinterface between theory and practice.

Continuing Education of Teachers

The education and development of teachers should be viewed from a careerperspective rather than as a process which is complete upon graduation fromuniversity. The career development progression shown in Figure 1 illustrates aplanning framework which is based on the following premises:

1. that initiatives in teacher development can best be planned from a perspectivewhich recognizes the needs and abilities of the teacher/learner at the variousstages of a professional career;

2. that the responsibilities of faculties of education in teacher development arebest understood in relation to the responsibilities of the profession, theorganization employing teachers, and the university as a whole, in each stage ofthe process; and,

3. that pre-service programs and continuing professional education programs(including graduate programs) should contribute to an overall process of

development of the professional teacher.

The education of teachers does not cease with the completion of pre-servicepreparation. The competent, successful teacher continues to learn and maintains a

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high level of proficiency. To this end, teachers should be encouraged to engage inactivities that provide for life-long education and professional growth. Changes areoccurring so rapidly that we can no longer overlook the need for teachers to upgradetheir knowledge and skills continually. This should be viewed as a conditicn ofprofessional service (rather than as the basis for salary increments), therebynecessitating periodic evaluation to determine whether a teacher has maintained alevel of competence commensurate with continuing certification.

Evaluation for re-certification should be required at regular intervals, and teachingcertificates should be renewed only for those who provide evidence of their effectiveperformance as teachers and have engaged in professional development activities.Teaching competence might be judged by a panel consisting of the teacher's principalor superintendent, the teacher's peers, and parents. One possible component ofprofessional development could be participation as a cooperating teacher in thepracticum. Other activities might include participation in education seminars andconventions, pedagogical research, university courses, and professional developmentdays.

Recommendation 7:

a. That all teachers in Alberta undergo evaluation of theirteaching effectiveness and professional developmentevery five years; and that renewal of a teachingcertificate be dependent upon the teacher's acquisition ofa specified number of credit points for professionaldevelopment by the time of each evaluation.

That the Minister of Education establish the procedures todevise a fair and equitable system of evaluation.

Leadership Tasks of_the F_aculties_of. _Edncation

1. Evaluation of Teacher Education Programs

The Department of Education receives comments on the quality and adequacy ofteacher performance from many sources, including parents and pupils, teachers,school administrators, school trustees and universities. Without reference to a

9.

common set of expectations and an agreed upon means of collecting andevaluating data, there is little hope for consensus and significant improvement.In the current period of criticism there is no way of knowing whether or not weare speaking of recent graduates, graduates of specific programs; out-of-province teachers or elementary or secondary school teachers. Responsibility tothe public demands a greater degree of agreement on the adequacy andappropriateness of our teacher education programs. To meet that responsibility,continual evaluation is essential;

Recommendation 8:

That the universities, in collaboration withrepresentatives of the Department of Education,teachers, and school trustees, develop a plan forevaivatilg the effectiveness of Alberta teacher educationprograms in relation to both pre-service and life-longprovisions; and,

b. That a report be made to the Minister annually in ameeting with deans of education.

2. Coordination of Specialized Courses

Conditions are changing markedly in the profession of teaching as well as inuniversities. Whereas in an earlier period our faculties of education preparedlarge numbers of teachers for an expanding job market; we now see a need forsome contraction in numbers. At the same time, many areas of teaching requirea greater degree of specialization; thus; there is a need to offer an increasingnumber of specialist programs. The only effective way to resolve the resultingresource dilemma is to increase cooperation among the four faculties ofeducation; at least in regard to those specializations which must be maintainedbut which enroll few students. There is no reason to expect that all universitiesshould offer preparation in all areas of teacher specialization;

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Recommendation_91

That the four university faculties which are responsible forteacher education prepare and periodically revise a plan forprovince-wide coordination in teacher education. This planshould address specifically the avoidance of unnecessaryduplication in the provision of specialist training, and shouldrefer to the role of the colleges in the education of teachers.

3. Research and Development in Teacher Education

The universities which provide teacher education must be allowed a measure ofautonomy to develop preparation programs suited to their unique circumstances.To impose one common set of courses and program on all institutions would be toignore sound educational principles and to deny the value of allowing forvariations in the history, size, personnel and interrelationships of eachuniversity.

There is much to be learned in and about teacher education, not only in pre=service preparation, but also in the expanding areas of in-service and graduateeducation. Until educators can define the critical variables in effective teachingand teacher education; systems of education will be criticized for theirinadequacy, students will not realize their potential, and the allocation ofresources will be questioned. As part of the overall endeavor to improve teachereducation; support should be provided to universities so that they, in conjunctionwith their professional and government colleagues, may experiment with andevaluate key variables at all levels of professional training.

Initially, studies should concentrate on relationships between modes of teaching;their theoretical basis, and practical experience. Encouragement should be givento trial program modifications to investigate the effect of admission standards;instructional techniques, role variations for faculty members and teachers in thepracticum, and practicum-centered tests of curriculum and instructionprinciples; The readiness of faculties of education to propose pilot projects andto experiment with program modifications such as internship merit financialsupport.

II.

Conclusion

That the Minister of Education establish a trust fund, in theorder of ten million dollars1 the interest to be used to defraythe cost of research and development for the refinement andadvancement of the education of teachers.

This proposal suggests a dynamic model of teacher education to address futexe needs

through the establishment of policies, structures; and procedures which are based oncooperative planning. The intent of the model is to ensure continuous interactionbetween the Minister and the faculties of education in the mutual pursuit ofexcellence in education.

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STAGE I

explotatory gtudy an

life experience

1; basic/liberal

education

2; subject(s)

specialization

3; exploratory

professional

study

4, accredited life

experiences

colleges/universities/

the world of work

STAGE IV

toward master

teacher stAno

continuing professional

education leading to

specialization

)rofession/universities

GRADUATE

DIPLOMA/

PIASTER'S

DEGREE

FIGURE 1

CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION

Pre-Certification Stages

STAGE II

initial concentration on\

professional studies

1. liberal/specialization

studies

2; theory/practice studies !

instructional skills

practicum

3. the enterprise of

education

universities

Advanced P-raftssional Development Stages

STAGE V

towards leadership roles

continuing professional

education

universities/profession

ADVANCED

DIPLOMA/

DOCTORATE

STAGE III

induction to professional

service

1. school system

induction programs

2; internship

3; continuing professional

education

the profession/school

systems

STAGE VI

professional and

nersonal renewal

continuing professional

education

profession/school systems

aen from "Planning Teacher Development from a Career Perspective" Anderson et al; Octoberi 1982.

-ERTIFICATIO

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