Relations between Schools and the University in the Preparation of Teachers

Abstract

In an era in which collaboration and partnerships are educational catch cries, it is interesting to consider the extent to which Australian schools and universities have embraced this orientation. This paper presents the juxta‐positioning of a school‐based perspective to one developed within a university. The first represents the view of the ‘outsider’, that of a practicing teacher within one of the schools linked to the University of New England as a school‐based supervisor of pre‐service education students undertaking their practica. From this position I conducted a documentary analysis of formal documentation concerning school experience. When I subsequently assumed the position of Director of School Experience in the University of New England I had an opportunity to use my original analysis to underpin much needed change in the practicum area. In what follows, I first present themes and issues arising from the original documentary analysis. This is followed by a. description of progress we have made in addressing the issues that arose in the analysis.