Washington State Statutes - Washington Attorney Directory

(1) The legislature recognizes that:

     (a) Strong teacher preparation programs are vital to the success of the state's entire education system;

     (b) Clinical field experiences, particularly student teaching, are critical to the developmental preparation of teacher candidates and to the success of teacher preparation programs;

     (c) Schools, school districts, educational service districts, and institutions of higher education benefit mutually from cooperative relationships that provide teacher candidates with appropriate, necessary, and successful student teaching experiences that establish continuity between the theory and practice of teaching;

     (d) Positive student teaching experiences result from the careful match between cooperating teachers and student teachers;

     (e) Teacher candidates should have student teaching opportunities and other field experiences that are reflective of the diversity existing among schools and school districts statewide; and

     (f) School districts statewide should have access to student teachers.

     (2) Therefore, in support of quality, professional, research-based training of prospective teachers, it is the intent of the legislature to continue its support of evolving partnerships among schools, school districts, educational service districts, community colleges, and colleges and universities, that are:

     (a) Benefiting the teaching profession;

     (b) Enhancing the ability of all new teachers to assume initial teaching responsibilities with greater confidence and a higher level of training;

     (c) Providing important and positive mentoring opportunities for experienced teachers; and

     (d) Strengthening cooperation and communication between the precollegiate and collegiate sectors of the state education system.

[1991 c 258 § 1.]

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