Student teaching is considered to be the single most powerful learning experience in teacher preparation. Although much has been made of its importance, surprisingly little research has been conducted specifically on student teaching, which some claim has remained unchanged for a century. Because student teaching is nearly universal in a field with wide-ranging practices even within a single institution of higher education, the possibility of modification in student teaching to lead reform in teacher preparation is quite strong. The authors present a history of student teaching, theory, practice, and policy; review the research literature, past and present; and present practical guidelines for reform that align with evidence.

Leah Wasburn-Moses is professor of educational psychology at Miami University.