Why Excellence in Teacher Education? Conversations with Policymakers and Education Leaders. Advancing the Agenda for Teacher Education in a Democracy. Comments on Goodlad's "Teachers for Our Nation's Schools." Exxon Education Foundation Forum (Washington, D.C., November 13-14, 1990).

Overview & Synopsis

The focus of these forum proceedings is education reform and the power that teachers hold to shape lives. Questions addressed by attendees included: Why the simultaneous renewal of schools and schools of education? How do we achieve reform? How do we assure the implementation of John Goodlad's agenda for change outlined in "Teachers for Our Nation's Schools?" What strategies must business leaders and school leaders take to implement change? What about the strategies for higher education leaders and state leaders? What is the next step? The booklet is organized into two parts. The first, "Education Reform versus Reality," reports on teacher education as a national problem and on Goodlad's book, "Teachers for our Nation's Schools." This part also includes a conversation with Goodlad. Part II, "The Dimensions of Change," examines: the relationship between teacher education reform and school reform; the higher education connection--a center of pedagogy; greater accountability for teacher education; current debate over licensing teachers; the federal/state contexts; and working toward collaborative dialogue. This section also features "Spotlight on Wyoming: Goodlad's Postulates at Work." The conclusion suggests steps to take next. (LL)