The role of teachers in education is widely acknowledged in educational studies that routinely find that quality of teaching is fundamental to student success. Accordingly, this study set out to examine and describe the professional development of teachers in countries where students perform better in the PISA assessment, namely, Finland, Estonia,…

This article provides a field-based example of a series of outreach programs that have been designed in response to current recommendations found in the K-12 outreach literature. These programs begin with university mathematics and science faculty members teaching a 10-day summer workshop to elementary and middle school teachers. Following this…

Despite the key role that principals play in leading schoolwide change, districts' efforts to support principals are often limited, particularly in rural settings. In this article, we report the preliminary findings of a cross-district mentoring program for nine midcareer rural school principals. The collaboratively developed human resource…

Focuses on the project, "Authentic Pedagogy in the Social Studies"(APSS), that was designed to assist teachers in their work with the Minnesota High Standards. Addresses the agenda for the APSS seminars, the renewed sense of collegiality, and lessons learned. (CMK)

"Transformational Professional Learning" is a periodically published e-newsletter designed to influence what educational leaders think, say, and do to improve teaching and learning by promoting deep understanding of important issues, the transformation of beliefs and assumptions, and a stream of powerful goal-focused actions. There are two…

Discusses the Gibbs Street Connection, a professional development program for music educators and a collaborative effort between the Eastman School of Music and the Rochester (New York) Philharmonic Orchestra. Highlights efforts to evaluate the Gibbs Street Connection and the benefits of the program. Offers tips for beginning such programs and…

Investigates four summer institutes of the California History-Social Science Project (CH-SSP), where university scholars and school teachers describe their own and each others' roles and contributions. Reveals two discourses, one based on notions of content and pedagogy, the other on "doing the discipline," or teaching and learning for…

Presents descriptions of using the Internet for music instruction by Laura Ferguson, James F. Daugherty, and Sandi MacLeod. Covers topics such as steps for creating and publishing movies on a Web site, a template for electronic learning called ChoirONLINE based on the creative use of interactive Web forms, and the Vermont MIDI Project. (CMK)

Describes the National Board for Professional Teacher Standards (NBPTS), addressing the types of certification available to teachers and the NBPTS propositions. Discusses the procedures for NBPTS certification and the types of certification areas for elementary social studies teachers. (CMK)

A two-day workshop for beginning school system supervisors and consultants was held in Edmonton, Alberta, to heighten awareness of supervisory tasks, develop skills, and stir interest in professional growth. Program goals and topical themes--communication, interpersonal relations, supervisory strategies, and time management--are discussed.…

Focuses on the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) (California) experiences for understanding how the arts must compete for resources. Explores how a cluster of schools in Los Angeles tried to implement visual arts programs addressing the Getty-Fairfax Project (a K-12 arts education project) in detail. (CMK)

Describes the issues and problems encountered in the development of a teaching, research, and professional development collaboration between faculty in a large research university and K-12 teachers focusing on the Transforming Education through the Arts Challenge that is a privately funded project for arts education reform. (CMK)

Contends that excitement can be infused into the K-12 geography curriculum by involving teachers in real research projects led by professional geographers. Describes a project where K-12 teachers and geographers participated in geography field research in the mountain highlands of the Valle Nuevo Scientific Reserve of the Dominican Republic. (CMK)

The role of the legal community in ensuring school safety is discussed, and effective antischool-crime programs involving attorneys and judges are described. Introductory passages comment on the overall role of courts and lawyers in education, the current national concern over crime and violence in schools, and national and California initiatives…

Contends that college and university faculty must strengthen the ties between teachers in precollegiate and postsecondary institutions. Describes the Marathon County (Wisconsin) History Teaching Alliance, a collaborative professional development program that aims to enhance student learning through improved history instruction. Addresses the roles…