This paper reports on the impact of a classroom-embedded professional learning (PL) program for mathematics teaching in two contrasting districts in Canada, and investigates the relationship between teacher efficacy and student achievement. Before the PL, District A had lower teacher efficacy and student achievement than District B, but after the…

It has long been recognized that engineers need a variety of skills, including technical and social, to succeed professionally. Attempts to include social skills (i.e., communication, teamwork, and leadership) in engineering education are relatively recent (i.e., within the last decade). Thus, the current study investigates whether social goals…

What exactly is an "outdoor orientation program?" First offered in the United States in the 1930s by Dartmouth College, outdoor orientation programs (OOPs) use adventure programming to help incoming students adjust to university or college. Typically, these programs are conducted in a wilderness or backcountry setting, are several days…

Catholic schools struggle with issues of teacher recruitment and retention. The experience of new teachers--both those recently graduated from college as well as those new to the Catholic sector--often impacts retention rates. This article presents a study of induction programs for such new teachers in the US and Canada, summarizes current trends,…

This unique collection of chapters takes the reader on a tour to explore innovative preservice and inservice teacher education practices from many regions of the United States, Canada and the world. Each of the chapters offers an authentic, documentary account of successful initiatives that break the traditional mold of teacher education. Section…

A school orientation program was developed to: (1) create a positive base for home-school communication; (2) provide parents with some information related to school entry skills; and (3) provide an initial positive school experience for beginning students. (Author)

Describes a collaborative project between Canadian elementary and junior high school counselors designed to ease the transition between elementary and junior high school. The orientation program included school visits and tours, counseling sessions, a buddy system, and a concentrated effort to combat rumors. (JAC)

Examines the library short course orientation program for support staff, primarily secretaries, administrative assistants and researchers, teaching and laboratory assistants, at the University of Victoria; summarizes course evaluations, and poses suggestions for program improvement. (CWM)

This manual outlines the program used by McGill University's McLennan Library to train new staff members in reference desk services. Relying heavily on the principles of learning by example, the training program embodies on-the-spot demonstration techniques which are included in two phases: initial training and further training. One week in…

Outlines an orientation program for immigrant children in the Scarborourgh School System in Ontario, Canada. The program is designed to provide these students with a systematic introduction to schooling during the period of transition to the new culture. (CFM)

Two elementary school counselors discuss their work inspired by the Circle of Courage Model. They have used the concept as an assessment and goal-setting tool to address students' problems and needs. They discuss their development of the tool and how they apply it in working with children and other populations, through the four quadrants on the…

This packet of materials is intended for high school educators who are interested in implementing career education programs. Introductory information explains the need for career education, the targeted audience, access to resources, and objectives. Descriptions of the career education programs of seven schools throughout the province of Alberta…

These proceedings contain 68 author-prepared abstracts of presentations given at the Seventh International Conference on the First-Year Experience, a 5-day conference that focused on the foundations for improving the undergraduate experience. The majority of the one- to two-page abstracts report on specific programs undertaken by colleges or…

In a country as diverse as Canada, no single school system could adequately serve all students. Programs vary markedly across the country and even within provinces, as the schools strive to accommodate the vast differences among the students. With a few exceptions, high school students of Native ancestry attend the regular provincial high schools…

This booklet provides the program and abstracts of presentations given at the Fourth Canadian-American Conference on the First-Year Experience. It includes a list of the goals of the conference, sponsoring institutions, staff, and general information about the conference. The booklet then provides brief descriptions of the 51 sessions held over…