The goals of the school-based experience (practicum) in pre-service teacher education: a qualitative study of Israeli mentor teachers' perceptions

Introduction The study explores the goals of the school-based experience as perceived by Israeli mentor teachers, who guide pre-service teachers in the host schools as the representatives of the academic institution. Methods Fifteen mentor teachers from diverse academic institutions were interviewed. Results Following thematic analysis, three goals for the school-based experience were found: (1) Qualification – achieving the skills that enable effective teaching; (2) Socialization – adapting behavior appropriate for a teacher in school; (3) Role identity development – developing attitudes and values associated with the teaching profession. Discussion Importantly, the quality of their teaching was not emphasized as a central goal of pre-service teachers' school-based experience.