Instructional coaching is a professional development model that seeks to improve classroom practice through collaborative, non-evaluative partnerships between teachers and coaches. Although existing literature suggests that coaching in pre-service teacher programs is relatively uncommon, the limited research on its use is promising. This…

Previous studies indicate that practicum experience is essential for pre-service teachers to develop understanding of effective teaching, professional identity, and culturally responsiveness. However, it is possible that first-year pre-service teachers are not ready to teach in a classroom with as many as 30 students which could present…

This study examined the impact of different student academic profiles on students' perceptions of school functioning within a modified alternating day, block-8 (A/B) schedule. Five academic profiles of students were identified using reports of their grades, satisfaction with their achievement, attributions of success to effort or ability,…

The calendar innovation at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is evaluated in this FIPSE-supported project. Five objectives are addressed: (1) assessment of changes in campus activities, climate, and attitudes of students, faculty, administrators, and the Oshkosh community; (2) measurement of student and faculty attitudes toward unique…

This paper investigates the questions and considerations that should be discussed by administrators, faculty, and support staff when designing, developing and offering a hybrid (part online, part face-to-face) degree program. Using two Web questionnaires, data were gathered from nine instructors and approximately 450 students to evaluate student…

The impact of an alternative calendar that was developed to meet the needs of present and projected university constituencies at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh was assessed. The calendar combines a traditional two-semester system of 17 weeks each and an eight-week summer session with an alternative calendar that divides the fall and spring…

In 2003-04, 11 Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) high schools moved from a traditional student schedule of six full-year courses to a block schedule of four courses each semester (4x4). Implementation went fairly smoothly, with 90% of teachers trained prior to the change. Academic course opportunities and course enrollment numbers increased…