Publication: Eight Questions on Teacher Preparation: What Does the Research Say?

• Allen, M.

What are the most effective strategies for educating and
training the nation’s teachers? 
  
For policymakers, teacher educators and others seeking
clear answers to this question, the cacophony of claims and
counterclaims by advocates of one approach or
another--selectively using only those research studies
consistent with their point of view--has made clarity
elusive. 
  
It was precisely the goal of the larger report from which
this summary derives to review, thoroughly and
dispassionately, the entire body of solid research on 
teacher pre p a ration to ascertain what evidence the
research truly provides and what its implications are for
policy. The report is based on a review of 92 studies that
were selected, using rigorous criteria, from a total of
more than 500 originally considered. These studies were
used to answer eight questions about teacher preparation
that are of particular importance to policy and education
leaders.