Secondary Teacher Preparation Programs

cross the United States, research shows that the bar on teacher education programs is being raised. All teachers are expected to take their education to the next level in order to better their students ’ educational experiences. Secondary education is being transformed to fit the numerous changes occurring in the world: technology, diversity and inclusion/special needs. The importance of relevance in secondary education curriculum and lessons is also emphasized throughout the teacher’s education and should continue when the teacher is in the classroom with their own students. The preparation of teachers is no longer only a question of quantity – as in quantity of classes taken- but also in the quality of the education teachers possess before they start teaching in schools. Though the research available does not suggest any one teacher preparation approach has proven to be the most effective, there has been strong support for student teaching abroad in recent years. Secondary education teachers could benefit immensely from student teaching abroad and exchange programs. As society changes and grows even more diverse, the importance of cultural understanding and expansion of ideas grows just as well. Concerning the effectiveness of these programs, Cwick and Benton of Delta Kappa Gamma say, “Research has shown that internationa