Keyword: «realistic approach»

The relevance of the study on the problem of student teachers' practice in the Netherlands (within the framework of the realistic approach) is due to the complexity of a full and effective connection between theory and practice in teacher education. In this regard, the search for productive mechanisms, models of successful combining of theoretical and practical training involving governments, universities, educational institutions, becomes topical. This is implemented in order to provide highly qualified teaching staff in the regions of the country, education sectors, and programs of educational institutions. The aim of the study is to analyze the realistic approach used in the designing and implementing the pedagogical practice programs in the Netherlands; to identify and justify the regularities and principles of the student teachers’ practicum realized in the framework of the realistic approach. The main approach to the research is a system-structural approach: it reflects the connection and interdependence of objects, phenomena, and processes of pedagogical reality in the national educational context. The study was conducted with the advisory support of researchers from Dutch higher schools. The author performed the analysis and the synthesis of philosophical, psychological and pedagogical literature on the problem of study, academic papers, published in Russian, English and Dutch; the work with primary sources – statutory acts, protocols, administrative documents of the Government of the Netherlands. In the course of the study, the author identified and substantiated the principles of the student teachers practicum, implemented within the realistic approach in the Dutch context of higher teacher education: the principle of student-centeredness with providing transparency of the situational professional position of a teacher educator; the principle of research implementing priority; the principle of collegiality. The results of the study can be used in the development of theoretical disciplines’ working programs, practicum’s programs for student teachers, strategic planning and management of the practicum process realized in secondary special education institution, higher education institution; in comparative education researches.