How well did your preservice program prepare you for the classroom?

For decades, teacher-preparation programs have included mainly university-based courses with a period of student teaching at the end. Many educators have emerged from these programs feeling unprepared for the needs and demands they find in real classrooms. Sooner or later, many have left the profession. Now, a growing number of universities and alternative programs are creating new methods of teacher preparation to better link theory and practice, such as more extensive fieldwork and mentoring in diverse settings. How widespread is the change? How effective? Tell us about your experience.