Various approaches to the professional development school (PDS)--each designed for its respective audience, mission, and purpose for engagement--have shaped the professional development school effort during the past 25 years. Central to these approaches is improving teacher quality in the service of student learning. This provides direction for…

Inclusion is a federal and state mandate, making it critical that early childhood teachers have adequate preparation in their preservice program for serving young children with disabilities. One of the challenges states face in increasing the availability of high-quality inclusive programs is ensuring adequate numbers of confident, competent…

The National Science Foundation (NSF), in collaboration with 24 states and one territory, is engaged in a multi-year effort to improve the quality of mathematics, science, and technology education for all students in a systemic way. The goal of the Statewide Systemic Initiatives (SSI) is to develop broad strategies for coordinating or aligning…

Examination of teacher education in Michigan and California illustrates dimensions of assonance and dissonance among key stakeholders in teacher preparation, particularly in relation to professional standards, accreditation, and teacher testing. Different shapes and values may be preferable to a national standard scorecard for teachers. (SLD)

This document brings together a series of short papers that examine 20 educational issues affecting all 50 states in the U.S. The following issues are addressed: (1) accountability, with an emphasis on performance-based accountability systems and state-performance indicators; (2) alternative schools for disruptive students; (3)assessment,…

Describes the rationale, organization, and activities of a comprehensive system for professional development in New York state, the Clearinghouse of Resources for Educators of Adults. (SK)

A model of developmentally appropriate practice in helping teachers grow is described. The model derives from a consideration of the psychological processes by which adults learn, and our desire to teach adults by the same methods we hope they will use in teaching children. The model includes a sequence of six kinds of interactions that the…

Since 1991, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has signed cooperative agreements with 26 states to undertake ambitious and comprehensive initiatives to reform science, mathematics, and technology education. This effort to improve public education is known as the Statewide Systemic Initiatives (SSI). This brief presents some initial observations…

Describes the DTL (Distance Teaching and Learning) Academy that was developed to help South Dakota's teachers use technology more effectively, including two-way videoconferencing equipment. Topics include goals; influence of the TTL (Teaching and Learning Academy); developing distance education courses; professional development opportunities for…

The California Educational Technology Summit was convened to address both the existing and desired applications of technology in California education. The objectives of the summit were: to increase awareness of technology and its limits and potential; provide for a dialogue about important technology related issues across educational sectors; and…

At a time of tremendous expansion of early childhood services, funds to train the needed work force are almost unavailable outside of the Head Start community. This problem is compounded by the limited amount of attention that the topic of early childhood teacher preparation and professional development has received from researchers and…

A study examined state legislative and policy provisions for gifted students and state efforts to address the seven initiatives outlined in U.S. Department of Education's "National Excellence: A Case for Developing America's Talent." Findings indicate some progress in teacher preparation, enhanced curricular standards, and efforts to match world…

The North Carolina Environmental Education Plan evolved from the ideas and suggestions of hundreds of people across North Carolina with over 1,300 individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies participating in the process. The first section of this document, Principles and Concepts of Environmental Education, outlines the…

The Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)/Spring Hill Commission at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, described in this report, was formed in response to a nationwide movement to improve and upgrade the quality of teacher education. Sixteen individuals were selected from the ranks of professors, students, and administrators to function as…

This report provides annual information on the number of teachers participating in preservice and inservice teacher programs and results of follow-up surveys conducted of students and their employers in Arizona. Section I provides information on teacher participation in both preservice and inservice teacher education. It shows Arizona's…