Discrepancy between preparation and practice in teacher education: An Ecuadorian study

A university in Ecuador requested assistance with curriculum revision so as to make its teacher training program more effective. In order to focus on real rather than perceived problems. a study of the curriculum was carried out. Over 200 graduates of the program were surveyed using a written questionnaire based on the content of the Faculty of Education curriculum. Results of the survey indicated a significant gap between preparation and practice. The major problems with preparation were identified as content emphasis and implementation rather than curriculum structure as perceived originally by university authorities.