A study compared the test scores of National Fire Academy (NFA) students who received on-campus classroom instruction and students who received the same instruction delivered by satellite teleconference. Following a review of literature that indicated no significant difference in test scores between on-campus classroom students and teleconference…

This paper presents results of a review of computer software programs available for German instruction and of informal interviews with German faculty in high schools, colleges and universities with regard to their computer needs. Most computer software currently available commercially is of the drill and practice type, with a focus on grammar and…

The Merck Institute for Science Education (MISE) was founded in 1993 to demonstrate that virtually all students could reach high levels of scientific literacy. MISE formed partnerships with four public school districts where Merck has major facilities and a history of providing employee volunteers and supporting local science education…

Research shows conclusively that principals and other school leaders are essential to school improvement, and that these individuals benefit from the intensive, contextualized support that a coach or mentor can provide. But how does a coach support a school leader in mastering the professional and emotional challenges of school leadership for a…

This study examined student writing over the past decades. The National Study of Writing Instruction addressed questions through analyses of existing data sets, particularly those from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which include background questions on instructional practices in U.S. middle and high schools. NAEP…

This inservice professional development module, part of the Alabama Reading Initiative, presents research summaries, notes for presenters, and activities. The Phonemic Awareness and Phonics module clarifies that skilled readers are accurate and automatic decoders (i.e., they have the alphabetic principle). Phonics instruction must empower all…

This paper describes the Indiana Professional Standards Board and nine standards for English/language arts teachers. An extensive preface discusses the board, fulfilling the board's mission, a unified system of quality assurance, the core standards, the standards development process, and the standards assessment process. The nine standards…

Teachers are critical to the success of school-to-work systems. They play a key role in the effort to prepare students for further education and work. In order to carry out these new tasks, however, teachers need more professional development. Teacher internships are an innovative professional development strategy that can help educators fulfill…

In a project designed to provide training for entry-level job skills in high tech industries, a combination of narrative and technology was employed to aid learners in developing the necessary soft skills (dependability, responsibility, listening comprehension, collaboration, et cetera) sought by employers. The EnterTech Project brought together a…

This paper examines the results from the "Teaching, Learning and Computing (TLC)" survey (Becker, H.J. & Anderson, R.E., 1998) administered to the "Applying Technology to Restructuring and Learning" (ATRL) project participants. The ATRL project was a five-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of…

Discusses careful planning, enlightened leadership, informed and enthusiastic teachers, and continuous evaluation as prerequisites for successful interdisciplinary teamwork. Suggests that interdisciplinary teaming allows better use of faculty members' skills, and provides better strategies for dealing with diversified populations, better…

The National Writing Project, formed in 1973, is a network of 157 local writing projects committed to improving the teaching of writing. It breaks with "top-down" educational tradition by creating a "third space" in which teachers share their expertise and experiences across grade levels and curricula, and by encouraging…

Describes a senior-level capstone experience that integrates various communication and research skills to prepare chemistry majors for entry into graduate school and professional life. Contains 12 references. (WRM)

Teachers require new ways of teaching, including readers' workshops, literature circles, and book clubs to promote critical thinking and positive attitudes toward reading. When teachers gather to discuss nonprofessional literature, they tap into their love of reading while enhancing their understanding of students' needs. (MLH)

Reports a study of Masters students in records management distance learning course. The 28 students shared a common experience of being a distance learner, though not a common experience of use of information technology (IT). Students benefited from the opportunity to combine employment with study. Drawbacks centered on distance from university…