Preparing America's Teachers

The preparation of America’s teachers is among the foremost issues facing education in the United States today. In this compelling account, James W. Fraser, an eminent historian of education, takes readers through two centuries of teacher preparation to uncover its development from colonial times to current standards-based models. Fraser examines a broad array of institutional arrangements, such as more familiar “normal schools” and less well-known arrangements, including teacher institutes and high school programs in rapidly expanding cities, segregated communities, rural areas, and Indian reservations. For any reader wishing to understand how to prepare teachers and reform schools, Fraser’s incisive survey provides much-needed historical grounding.

James W. Fraser is a professor at the Steinhardt School of Education, New York University, and founding dean of the School of Education, Northeastern University.

“Fraser addresses the understudied history of American teacher education from a unique and important perspective. This is an insightful and helpful 'read' for the novice and the experienced teacher educator. I will be recommending its use to colleagues across the country.”
David Imig, president emeritus of AACTE and professor at the University of Maryland's College of Education

“This is a very important book...Fraser lucidly tells a fascinating story of the struggle, contestation, and survival of teacher preparation.”
Arturo Pacheco, director, Center for Research on Educational Reform, University of Texas at El Paso

“An important addition to the history of education literature. Fraser’s engaging profiles of diverse individuals, institutions, and agencies will be invaluable to readers.”
Christine A. Ogren, associate professor, College of Education, The University of Iowa, and author of The American State Normal School.