The purpose of this study is to determine whether participation in self-study and self-assessment CME programs improves physicians' performance on a Board Maintenance of Certification (MOC) examination. Linear regression showed that participation in such CME programs within one year of taking the MOC exam predicted higher performance on the MOC…

'Out-of-field teaching' refers to the practice of assigning teachers to teach subjects that do not match their training or education -- an international phenomenon that seems particularly prevalent in mathematics. This paper reports on a study evaluating the impact of a national professional learning program for out-of-field secondary mathematics…

There is a current crisis in computer science teacher certification in US, which primarily centers around a growing confusion in licensure requirements. Some universities have created Computer Educator Licensure (CEL) programs to better address this confusion and to help train the next generation of K-12 computer science educators. The authors of…

The School Direct training initiative has had a marked effect on the production of new teachers in England. The role of university education departments has been curtailed, and the belief that learning from doing, is better than a more theory based approach has caused politicians to radically change teacher education processes. Challenges are also…

This study was designed to examine the impact NCLB defined teacher-quality variables (1) major/minor in mathematics, (2) highest academic degree, (3) type of teaching certificate, (4) years taught mathematics (NCLB, 2001) on the mathematics average scale scores of eighth-grade students. The study used a secondary analysis of the 2007 National…

Evaluated the Urban Learning (ULRN) program at California State University, Los Angeles, which combines undergraduate and teaching credential programs to address the state's shortage of credentialed teachers. Found that ULRN students exhibited higher motivation to learn and took fuller course loads compared to other undergraduates; compared to…

The purpose of this paper is to review literature on the alternative certification policy so as to identify key features and issues as the basis for suggesting a more systematic approach to the study of the policy efforts. Alternative teacher certification has become a proliferating phenomenon in the United States in response to current and…

An analysis is conducted of the extent to which the stated goals and required academic and clinical experiences of the Oregon administrator preparation program were aligned with identified leader variables and the recommendations of recent educational administration reform reports. Variable categories were selection and admissions, content and…

This document reports on the findings of an NSF-funded conference (STEM ACT) on the alternative certification of science teachers. The conference explored the issues that have arisen in science education as a result of the proliferation of alternative certification programs in the United States, and to identify the research that needs to be done…

In the interests of improving and ensuring the quality of teachers in the schools, testing is increasingly becoming an integral part of the certification process. Almost all states currently require that prospective teachers pass a test either as a requirement for entering a teacher education preparation program or after completing such a program…

This paper reports the findings of an attempt to improve test-wiseness (TW) through direct instruction in selected test-taking strategies. TW was defined as "a cognitive function, subject to improvement through both general exposure to a wide variety of test items, and specific training in test-taking skills." The total investigation included:…

The Tarleton State University Model for Accelerated Teacher Education (TMATE) was developed to expedite the certification of persons already holding a bachelor's degree and to help meet specific staffing needs of school districts in the Tarleton service area. Collaboration between the university and the school district occurs during both the…

Outcomes of three teacher preparation programs for individuals seeking certification in secondary teaching areas at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, were compared. The first is the traditional four-year undergraduate program culminating in a BS/BA degree and teacher certification. A second group of students are postbaccalaureates who have…

This paper explains some of the policies, procedures, and standards now in effect as a result of educational reform efforts within the State of South Carolina. Approval of a teacher education program is based on a comprehensive evaluation incorporating the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). An…

Four successful mathematics and science teacher retraining programs are described. The programs were based on identified local teacher shortages and continued as long as the need existed. Trainers had a thorough mastery of context and method and were able to relate to the adult learner. Trainees were experienced and successful teachers from other…