Most practitioners and scholars agree that critical and reflective early childhood and elementary teachers are foundational for children's holistic growth and development. Yet current policies focused on elevating testing and performativity are contributing to student and teacher anxiety and alienation. This book offers a counternarrative to…

Expresses concern that higher education teaches subject matter thoroughly at the expense of teaching method. Finds the opposite to be true of graduates of teacher training institutes. Sees these students' strengths as teaching methodology and understanding of children, not their subject matter. Urges development of experimental proving grounds in…

Discusses how changing family structures make values education and the development of strong parent-school partnerships imperative. Examines the teacher education program at New York's Bank Street College of Education and its efforts to create a school environment honoring human dignity and values education intended to provide a model for…

Research-based reform continues to strike a balance between the academic theories and classroom realities. This handbook provides a set of guidelines for the preparation of skilled instructors at all levels and career stages of teaching; establishes a curriculum for teacher education; and offers a forum for discussion in the field among teachers,…

This report describes a portfolio review process used as an admission requirement for preservice teaching internships at a college of education. The study began during the fall semester of 1994 and is continuing. Data sources include formal and informal interviews, surveys, documents, and field observations. The research shows that teaching…

This paper is a theoretical description of the mental processes that occur as part of teachers classroom behavior. Concepts are applied from the field of cognitive science and the following model is offered: the brain has an intrinsic dynamic nature with hierarchically organized levels of functioning; there is a large degree of interconnectedness…

Reports on a content analysis of 18 manuals designed for college-level teaching assistants. Finds that frequently included topics focused on intellectual and interpersonal tasks. Suggests that the study's results could serve as a model for teaching assistant materials. (CFR)

Reports on a study of early field experience activities in 22 teacher education programs. Concludes that the goals of most field experiences programs are seldom achieved. Recommends more institutional support and field experience assignments geared to self-reflection and analysis. (CFR)

Examines the influence of two self-instructional approaches to classroom management used with undergraduate art education majors. Reports that there was no significant difference in results between the two approaches. Reveals that both groups' understanding and ability in classroom management were higher than those of the control group. (KM)

This paper reports the findings of a year-long study of 11 preservice teachers' perceptions of the first year of a teacher preparation program. These students were interviewed individually at least four times, and reported that learning concrete teaching methods was one of the most valuable aspects of their preparation because these methods could…

Discusses the gap between teaching theory and practice in the context of teacher education reform. Argues that radical reforms without an understanding of current issues and problems are a mistake. Concludes that a teaching competency model that situates teaching in its social context would be more appropriate. (CFR)