Preparation for Leadership in Personnel Preparation

Abstract

Public concern about the quality of teacher education has stimulated considerable interest in the quality of programs that prepare doctoral level teacher educators. Programs for the preparation of doctoral level leadership personnel in teacher education are experiencing problems with students, programs, and faculty. Student problems include a reduction in the numbers of students applying for admission and an inadequate level of entering knowledge of the behavioral and social sciences and special education. Program problems relate to the focus and content of the program, procedures for monitoring student progress, and the lack of validated guidelines for quality practice. Faculty problems relate to the age of Institution of Higher Education faculty and to job satisfaction. Solutions to these problems involve strengthening undergraduate and master's level teacher preparation programs; focusing the mission, curriculum, and location of doctoral programs preparing leadership personnel for teacher education; faculty renewal; and establishing validated standards for practice.