ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the nature of teacher education and the debate between theory and practice, which has been at the root of many of the policy initiatives that have been introduced in recent years. It also considers the importance of teacher education in reforming education systems and potentially improving pupil outcomes. The chapter discusses the significance of political interventions and presents the changes in the relationship between higher education and schools. As part of the neoliberalisation agenda there has been a systematic attack on teacher autonomy in England. The market-led approach in education has developed largely as a consequence of political pressure. Education along with other parts of the public sector became subject to the demands of the market, which should be influenced by ‘the logic of the market place’. A significant part of the drive to reduce teacher autonomy has been the rise of New Public Management.
