In this wide-ranging interview with Educational Leadership, Stanford University Professor of Education Linda Darling-Hammond discusses the kind of preparation and support new teachers need to survive their critical first years in the classroom. Among her central recommendations are more intensive mentoring that lasts through the first year of…

Interviews Regie Routman, well-known advocate of whole-language instruction, about her new book, "Literacy at the Crossroads," in which she presents a clear response to critics of whole language and of education in general. Urges teachers to participate in professional development and communicate their professional knowledge about good teaching…

States that if universities are to remain key players in initial teacher education, they must support university-based initial teacher educators. Presents data that was found during interviews conducted between 1998 and 1999 focusing on the ways teacher educators define their professional credibility. Includes references. (CMK)

An interview with Susan Loucks-Horsley, director of professional development at the National Research Council's Center for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Education, explores the importance of good teachers, deficiencies in professional development, rural problems, the importance of high academic standards, how the newer standards differ…