Initial teacher education in Canada: what the past 50 years have taught us about influence and impact.

Initial teacher education (ITE) has changed dramatically over the past 50 years but some of the same issues persist in Canada and around the world. This article begins with an overview of how teacher education has evolved in Canada with a particular emphasis on the past 50 years. It recounts the gradual rise of professionalisation as teacher preparation moved from normal schools and teachers’ colleges to universities. We discuss the struggles for control of teacher education and how these have played out differently in various provinces and territories. The second part of the article provides an overview of external bodies that influence policies and programmes related to ITE in Canada including government agencies, royal commissions, colleges of teachers, and teachers’ federations. The third part focuses on internal influences on ITE that are both university and school-based and examines some of the points of tension between them including programme content, the balance between theory and practice, and the practicum. Finally, we look at recent developments in ITE focusing specifically on Indigenous education, truth and reconciliation and equity, diversity and inclusion, all of which will continue to be priorities for Canadian ITE moving forwards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]