What is the role of Teacher Education?

The article states that the age of the teacher, and the number of years of experience they've had in a classroom, or even where they have taught; the candidates in these programs said that the program was good and they'd recommend it to someone they know.

With all of the multiple teaching programs available in the country and the race to the top, along with programs trying to capture the interests of future educators, the general consensus from the article was that what the candidates found that was the most valuable in their program experience was through student teaching above all else in the program. While it's important for higher education programs to attract candidates and to want to sell their name, I believe that it's even more important that programs focus on building upon the strengths of their candidates and equip them with the tools that will help foster relationships with them and others around them along with their students. If we are committed to create and maintain these, then I can promise that positive academic growth will follow in time especially for the "struggling" students.