This book examines the status of training and continuing professional development of teachers on a national and international level. The authors argue that teachers need to feel that they are part of an empowering professionalism, in which their work has an effect on the abilities of students, and where they play a valuable role in shaping the direction of future society.

Introduction 1. The context of teachers' deprofessionalisation 2. Central direction, markets and the In-service education of teachers 3. Teachers' professional development: the need for an appreciation of the public and ecological natures of their work 4. Impoverishing a sense of professionalism, who's to blame? 5. Perceptions of professionalism by the mentors of student teachers 6. Towards a new vision of training and Inset: reflective practice, public and ecological understandings 7. Action research and teacher professionalisation 8. Conclusion