Source: This article was published in Teaching and Teacher Education, Volume 27, Issue 8,
Author(s): Elizabeth Bleicher, " Parsing the Language of Racism and Relief: Effects of a Short-term Urban Field Placement on Teacher Candidates’ Perceptions of Culturally Diverse Classrooms", Pages 1170–1178, Copyright Elsevier (November 2011).
This three-year study explores the effects of one-week urban education program on non-urban teacher candidates.
The participants were 95 suburban and rural teacher candidates who participated in one-week, intensive urban field placement.
Data was drawn from anonymous, open-ended, pre- and post-experience participant surveys; reflections; and alumni interviews.
Findings reveal that the placement improves confidence in cross-cultural and general teaching abilities.
Furthermore, short program yields big changes in views of urban youth, schools and teachers.
Participants report professional, intellectual, social and emotional growth.
Experience increases interest in urban schools for future employment.