Regional model of teacher education as a research problem

Introduction. The authors investigate the problem of improving the quality of education with the main focus on initial teacher education. The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristic features of modern regional models of teacher education using the system modeling method. Materials and Methods. In order to investigate regional models of teacher education, the following methods were employed: a focus-group research technique, expert surveys and opinion polls. The sample included highly qualified practitioners and leaders of higher educational institutions, vocational educational settings and secondary educational institutions as well as recreation and health improvement organizations for children. The comparative analysis of the regional models was conducted using the profile of the regional model of teacher education developed by the authors. Results. The article presents an analytical review of modern regional teacher education models, carried out as a part of the research investigation conducted by Moscow Pedagogical State University on behalf of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation "Comparative analysis of models of regional teacher education systems with the main focus on 8 federal districts of the Russian Federation and the specifics of interaction between federal and regional stakeholders within the educational policy." The study has revealed, described and analyzed eight most common models of teacher education in regional education systems in each of the federal districts. The authors emphasize that it is significant to document unique practices of teacher education and present them to the professional community and experts using a unified model profile. Moreover, they highlight the need for expanding networking, involving both regional and federal stakeholders in the field of education. Conclusions. The research findings can be used by state authorities of the subjects of the Russian Federation, federal districts of the Russian Federation, and educational institutions of higher education to improve the efficiency of the regional teacher education models, integrating them into a unified environment of teacher education in Russia. The profile of the regional model of teacher education evaluated during the research investigation can be offered as a standard one.