Teacher Education and the Struggle for Social Justice

Description

"… Clear, articulate, and cogent….[Zeichner] exhibits a commitment to a vision of social justice that rightly demands the very best both from society and from those of us who work in schools, communities, and teacher education institutions." -- Michael W. Apple, From the Foreword

In this selection of his work from 1991-2008, Kenneth M. Zeichner examines the relationships between various aspects of teacher education, teacher development, and their contributions to the achievement of greater justice in schooling and in the broader society. A major theme that comes up in different ways across the chapters is Zeichner’s belief that the mission of teacher education programs is to prepare teachers in ways that enable them to successfully educate everyone’s children. A second theme is an argument for a view of democratic deliberation in schooling, teacher education, and educational research where members of various constituent groups have genuine input into the educational process.

Teacher Education and the Struggle for Social Justice is directed to teacher educators and to policy makers who see teacher education as a critical element in maintaining a strong public education system in a democratic society.

Reviews

"Clear, articulate, and cogent…[Zeichner] exhibits a commitment to a vision of social justice that rightly demands the very best both from society and from those of us who work in schools, communities, and teacher education institutions."

--Michael W. Apple, From the Foreword

Contents

Foreword, Michael W. Apple

Preface

Acknowledgements

1. The Adequacies and Inadequacies of Three Current Strategies to Recruit, Prepare, and Retain the Best Teachers for All Students

2. Educating Teachers for Social Justice

Ken Zeichner and Ryan Flessner

3. Professional Development Schools in a Culture of Evidence and Accountability

4. Action Research as a Strategy for Preparing Teachers to Work for Greater Social Justice: A Case Study from the United States

5. Action Research: Personal Renewal and Social Reconstruction

6. Action Research in Teacher Education as a Force for Greater Social Justice

7. Beyond the Divide of Teacher Research and Academic Research

8. Connecting Genuine Teacher Development to the Struggle for Social Justice

9. Contradictions and Tensions in the Professionalization of Teaching and the Democratization of Schools

10. Reflections of a University-Based Teacher Educator on the Future of College- and University-Based Teacher Education

Author Bio

______________________________________________________________________________

Kenneth M. Zeichner is Hoefs-Bascom Professor of Teacher Education, and Associate Dean, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Related Subjects

1. Teachers & Teacher Education
2. Education Policy & Politics
3. Sociology of Education
4. Action Research & Teacher Research