Pedagogical content knowledge and preparation of high school physics teachers

This paper contains a scholarly description of pedagogical practices of the rutgers physics/physical science teacher preparation program. the program focuses on three aspects of teacher preparation: knowledge of physics,knowledge of pedagogy,and knowledge of how to teach physics (pedagogical content knowledge-pck). the program has been in place for 7 years and has a steady production rate of an average of six teachers per year who remain in the profession. the main purpose of the paper is to provide information about a possible structure,organization,and individual elements of a program that prepares physics teachers. the philosophy of the program and the coursework can be implemented either in a physics department or in a school of education. the paper provides details about the program course work and teaching experiences and suggests ways to adapt it to other local conditions. ©2010 the american physical society.