A Qualitative Study of the Student Teaching Timeframe

Abstract

Recently, a Midwestern state university family and consumer sciences (FCS) teacher education program extended the length of student teaching from 10 to 16 weeks. To determine if the extension was a positive move for the program, a pilot study was undertaken. Interviews were conducted with university supervisors who supervised student teachers for two different timeframes: one of a 10-week duration (Spring 2013) and another of a 16-week duration (Spring 2014). Stakeholders cited the additional time available for the student teachers to progress as the most notable reason for the six-week extension. This study provides support for extending the student teaching timeframe in FCS programs.