Professional development (PD) is one way to maintain or increase teacher effectiveness in any number of domains. However, PD comes in many formats and with a wide range of evidence on its effectiveness -- both of which can shape teachers' perspectives of the PD even before they participate. The purpose of this research was to examine how…

In response to calls to resituate teacher preparation in clinical settings, teacher educators are increasingly repositioning their work in PK-12 contexts. In this article, we describe our efforts to connect theory and practice through site-based course instruction and explore how such experiences informed teacher candidates' perceptions of their…

Computers have become an integral part of most college and high school programs; however, the utilization of computers at the elementary level has lagged behind. This paper focuses on the efforts of a New Jersey public school district to expand computer education into the elementary school environment. It describes the second year of a 3-year plan…

A Pittsburg (Kansas) State University program for individualizing preservice elementary teacher preparation is described, which emphasizes learning by doing through exposure to alternative teaching strategies. Intensive preparations made by the teaching faculty are discussedd (identifying needs and goals for students, formulating program…

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is giving 82 public schools around the state a chance to show what they can do to improve student achievement through reduced state regulation and increased flexibility. The project referred to as the Partnership Schools Initiative teams local school campuses with regional education services and the TEA for a 3-5…