The author updates information on teacher competency testing and discusses issues that should be considered by states planning the development and implementation of competency testing programs. Recommendations are made. (MT)

The role of teaching practice in pre-service teachers' training at the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana is reported. Teaching practice as a teacher development programme has come under the limelight for some time now in Ghana. The Initial Teacher Training Colleges (ITTC) in Ghana and the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) have…

This article, comprised of two excerpts from the New York Times, illustrates the reemergence of university/school partnerships by describing a meeting of major university presidents and a project of cooperation between Stanford University and local public schools. (Author/MT)

The preparation of elementary school teachers in the middle and late 19th century increasingly included city normal training schools. The city school board of Akron, Ohio, reflected this trend and established its own normal training school in 1898. This paper documents the preservice training of teachers within the city training school, the…

The Dean's biennial report on the New York University School of Education, Health, Nursing and Arts Professions includes discussion of new academic programs, sponsored programs, and faculty research and publications. Tables list faculty changes and public, private, and alumni grants to the school. (SJL)

Discusses when a school-university partnership is mature or collegial enough to be called a Professional Development School (PDS) partnership, challenging those who call what they have always done a PDS. The article defines a PDS, reviews the literature on PDSs, and clarifies the many models that exist across the country. (SM)

The authors review a variety of strategies that could be employed by school districts, teacher education institutions, and state agencies to attract and retain or retrain Hispanic teachers in math and science. (MT)

Despite the enormous problems facing colleges of education, administrators are changing their programs to meet the national agenda for excellence in education. Changes include reliance upon a solid knowledge base, micro-technology, rigorous program standards, extensive clinical or practicum experiences, and the recruitment of excellent candidates.…

This article compares the way schools, colleges, or departments of business (SCDBs) and schools, colleges or departments of education (SCDEs) are accredited on such key factors as faculty-to-student ratios, faculty qualifications, program admission, and institutional program support. (CT)

Grade inflation pervades U.S. schools at all levels, and it is particularly pronounced in the humanities fields and in departments, schools, and colleges of education (DSCEs). This problem presents a leadership opportunity for DSCEs to develop and implement a credible and meaningful grade distribution system to combat pervasive grade inflation.…

This digest consolidates recent, key information on minority representation in the teaching profession. Despite widespread efforts to recruit minority teachers, by 1983 the total had decreased 1.5% (down to 11% since 1973). Therefore, many students will go through their entire school career with no minority teachers, no role models, and no sense…

Recent Texas legislation eliminates undergraduate degrees in education and requires academic majors for certification. Intended and unplanned consequences of the legislation are examined. Discussed are implications for teacher shortages, accreditation of teacher preparation institutions, specific areas (e.g., physical education, elementary…

Alternative futures faced by the colleges of education in England and Wales immediately following the government call for reorganization in 1972 and 1973 are examined, including program reorientation and institutional mergers and closings. Criticism indicates that reorganization has failed to raise standards or improve the quality of teacher…

Data from a descriptive study of the impact of professional development school (PDS) involvement on teacher preparation at three Massachusetts colleges is related to three themes: uniqueness of PDS-related techniques, approaches, and philosophy; mechanism and spread of these techniques, approaches, and philosophy; and signs of institutionalization…

This study of student teachers' beliefs was conducted to track changes in their beliefs about teaching and examine the role of academic and practical experiences in modifying these beliefs. The primary focus of this paper is the evolution of methodology, with extracts from three case studies presented to illustrate the direction the research is…