Facilitating Educational Reform: An Innovative Model for Teacher Preparation Programs.

Overview & Synopsis

This model for teacher education programs responds to the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards requiring that professional education programs be based on essential knowledge, established and current research findings, and sound professional practice. The NCATE standards mandate that the design, delivery, and content of the curriculum reflect national concerns about the knowledge bases for professional education. The model described herein, referred to as the Professional Life Span Model, was used for the teacher education knowledge base at the University of Mississippi. The model is a framework within which six dimensions (psychological, social, physical, vocational, moral, and aesthetic) of students are nurtured in order to produce self-sustaining, adult, professional instructional leaders. The knowledge bases are drawn from general studies, specialty studies, learning environments, and educational processes. Two figures illustrate the model and reflect the sequence of application of program content and related field experiences. (LL)