Diversity in Teacher Education

The increasing racial and ethnic diversity of our nation's classrooms presents a significant challenge to the next generation of teachers and to those responsible for their training. This book explains the steps teacher educators and policy makers must take in order to prepare a teaching force that is both culturally diverse and culturally aware. The first step in designing programs that will attract and retain individuals from various racial and ethnic backgrounds is to create an atmosphere and curriculum that values diversity and encourages a spirit of true cooperation. Schools, colleges, and departments of education need to prepare teachers in the use of a variety of instruction and assessment practices, not just those created by mainstream educators for mainstream students. Students must be taught the culture of the classroom - how to take tests, how to work alone, and how to get along with other kids - in order to succeed. And greater emphasis should be placed on fieldwork in minority communities during the early stages of teacher education, so that teachers learn to adapt to diverse situations and develop relationships with individuals very different from themselves. Sponsored by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.