With the widespread adoption of the Common Core State Standards, public education in the United States is poised to take a major step forward in readying the next generation of Americans for success in higher education and the workforce. Gaining a realistic understanding of students' performance levels, meeting students where they currently are,…

The Holmes Group Report recommended strategies to create better, more professional teachers through longer educational programs, more liberal arts content, higher entry and exit criteria, and career ladders. Such reforms focus on urban needs and may increase rural teacher shortages, teacher salaries, and consolidation pressures. Contains 34…

This article discusses the reform agenda which led to establishment of the "Teacher as Decision-Maker" program, a five-year teacher education program at University of Virginia. Program design, curriculum components, and evaluation are described as well as program-based research. (IAH)

This article describes the Teachers for Alaska program, University of Alaska. This fifth-year certification program is a response to the teacher education reform movement and is designed to prepare high quality secondary teachers. The program emphasizes preparation of teachers for small high schools in remote Eskimo and Indian villages. (IAH)

This article traces the evolution of the elementary PROTEACH program from its beginnings to its current implementation. Four key features of this five-year preservice program are discussed: structure, thematic focus, support of graduates (beginning teachers), and faculty commitment. The program goal is the development of a "PROfessional…

The interplay of institutional reform efforts and the role of external actors (public officials and agencies, private sector entities) have brought about changes in teacher education programs, e.g., fifth-year program innovations. A naturalistic case study approach was used to investigate structural and substantive changes in four extended teacher…

A three-year study at Ohio University-Newark of a new fifth-year master of education (M.Ed.) program and a traditional bachelor's program showed a placement rate twice as high for M.Ed. graduates. Also analyzes enrollment patterns, student profiles, staffing and cost implications, and relationships with school personnel in the area served by the…

This paper summarizes the current contexts of education and teacher education, describes the Austin Teacher Program's (Austin College, Texas) response to these contexts, and outlines salient features of the Austin Teacher Program redesign. Four common themes emerge from commentary during recent years on the status of American education: increasing…

Results are reported from an analysis of institutional reform efforts of 50 teacher education institutions. Six types of reform are discussed: new connections with arts and sciences faculty, teacher and school collaborations, professional development schools, internships, professional studies, and new organizational partnerships. (IAH)

Uses research findings to challenge assumptions and myths about teacher education and educational reform, focusing on health education. Trends in accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and alternative certification are analyzed. One possible extended six-year preparation program model is offered. (Author/SM)

Four case studies of institutions which have made innovations in teacher education are presented in this paper. The four institutions are the University of New Hampshire (Durham), Austin College (Texas), the University of Florida (Gainesville), and Northeast Missouri State University (Kirksville). In each of the programs, change is visible at two…

Study tested the hypothesis that teacher candidates who were exposed to a theory-oriented normative model and given theory-oriented reinforcement within a practice-oriented context would manifest more positive attitudes toward learning theoretical knowledge than those who were not so exposed. Results proved the hypothesis was plausible. (SM)

The Master of Arts in Education (M.A.E.) program was created when Truman State University (then Northeast Missouri State University) was designated the state's premier liberal arts and sciences university and most of the undergraduate and graduate programs in education were phased out. The rigorous program is heavily field-based with extensive…

This book presents case studies of two highly successful teacher education programs. It is part of a three-volume series that includes seven case studies. It documents the goals, strategies, content, and processes of teacher education programs that are widely acknowledged as exemplars for preparing prospective teachers to engage in skillful,…

This report presents proceedings from a conference on teacher quality held in Washington, DC in January 2000. Sessions focused on recruitment; teacher preparation; beginning teacher support; college-school partnerships; minority group teachers; Hispanic and language minority teachers; preparing teachers at the community college level; curricular…