RE: Preservice Training

We have been talking about and implementing more rigorous standards for our students, but we also need to demand more rigorous training programs from the colleges and universities in order to develop "quality teachers".  Preservice training should be a key component in any training program.  In addition, we need to give prospective teacher candidates real world experiences and information from practicing teachers with K-12 experience so that each candidate has a full understanding of what an actual classroom is all about.  In too many training programs, actual in classroom experience is the last thing that one experiences.  We can't attract quality teachers unless we first provide adequate and effective real life training experiences which prepares one to deal with todays classroom environment.