Teachers for the Seventies. A Plan for Improving Teacher Education in Alabama through 1978-79. Vol. 1.

Overview & Synopsis

This document was prepared in response to a request from the executive secretary of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to develop a Master Plan for Teacher Education in Alabama to serve through the year 1978-79. There are introductory sections on the development of the plan and on the present execrable situation in public schools. The third section, entitled "Teacher Education at the Crossroads," provides suggestions on the following topics: (a) the program of instruction in teacher education, (b) research in teacher education, (c) extension or field services, and (d) governance of teacher education. Section 4 is entitled "Background Information on Preparation of Alabama Teachers" and includes discussion and statistics on factors affecting future need for educational personnel, on the supply of future employable professionals, and on teacher education programs present and projected. Supplementary tables cover degree production for public institutions. Section 5 briefly discusses continuous education for teachers and related personnel, while section 6 reviews the concept of specialized professional services. Included in the topics for which research is needed (listed in section 7) are learning styles; cultural influences on learning; selection, development, and presentation of content; organization and administration; and study of professional preparation. Section 8 presents a summary, conclusions, and recommendations. (JA)