The special education methods sequence at University of Virginia is a two-semester training program which emphasizes a behavioral approach to teaching. The first course emphasizes methods; the second focuses on integration of curriculum and methods. Course goals, format, teaching methods, texts and student evaluation are outlined. (IAH)

Secondary science methods courses should help students develop competencies in five areas: knowledge of the curriculum, planning for instruction, teaching strategies, classroom management, and evaluation of pupils' progress. (IAH)

Youngstown State University offers a "Principles of High School Teaching" course to present prospective secondary school teachers with knowledge and opportunity to examine critically various facets of high school teaching in order to reconceptualize both schooling and teacher's role, focusing on developing understanding of intellectual…

Key features of an intensive one-semester clinical program for preservice teachers are: (1) concurrent methods courses and fieldwork (student teaching); (2) dual roles (instructor and fieldwork supervisor) for core faculty; (3) teaming of core faculty; (4) peer group support--because students are placed in clusters of 3-10 at a school. (IAH)

A Northern Kentucky University professor questions the relevance and effectiveness of a required fundamentals of secondary education methods course, and discusses his counteroffensive, which combines lecture, field experience, and post-experience reflection on methods to meet state certification standards. (CB)

Teacher education programs are being encouraged to collaborate with K-12 partners to develop and implement contextually rich field experiences that integrate methods course instruction with public school practices. As a result, we outline four models of integrating methods instruction and field experiences and raise the question "How does the…