Is there a role for higher education in initial teacher training? A consideration of some of the main issues in the current debate

Abstract

AbstractThis article contributes towards the current debate over the role of higher education in initial teacher training. It begins by outlining the background to the debate, and then focuses upon two of the main issues; that of contestability, which concerns whether or not schools significantly challenge, or threaten, the pivotal role in initial teacher training which higher education has traditionally held, and that of financial costs, which concerns whether or not student teachers can be trained cheaper outside of the higher education sector.The article presents findings of the authors’research, a study comparing teacher training carried out by higher education institutions, in partnership with schools, with a newly established model of training provided by consortia of schools. The implications of these findings for the role of higher education in initial teacher training are examined, and recommendations are made for policy which would allow schools and higher education institutions to work together to provide improved teacher training.