A Qualitative Investigation of China's Free Teacher Education Policy

• In Event: 18.071 - Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: 18.071-9 - Global Challenges and Opportunities in Teacher Education: Equity, Inclusion, and Entry Into the Profession

Abstract

Initiated in 2007, China’s Free Teacher Education Policy (FTEP) offers free tuition at six Chinese universities to teaching candidates from rural provinces; in exchange, they must teach for 10 years in their home provinces. Most early FTEP participants taught in cities, however, while few taught in rural schools. This paper uses qualitative data to examine the experiences of eight FTEP participants and six teacher educators from FTEP universities. At the time of the study, six of teaching candidates were teaching full-time while two were enrolled as university students. The paper explicates factors that are likely to affect whether the FTEP reduces teacher shortages throughout rural provinces, addresses strengths and limitations of the FTEP, and recommends changes in this policy.

Authors

• Peter A. Youngs, University of Virginia

• Hong Qian, National Council of State Boards of Nursing

• Sihua Hu, Michigan State University

• Xueying Ji, Michigan State University