Suggests guidelines and strategies to help teacher preparation programs move toward collaborative instruction for regular and special education teachers. Offers instructional procedures and suggestions for what to teach, as well as an overview of factors that influence the implementation of collaboration instruction for all educators. (Author/CR)

A Nebraska high school implemented interdisciplinary teaming several years ago as a direct result of its strategic planning effort. It eventually rejected the intensified block schedule, which manipulated time without changing teacher roles, and adopted a flexible block schedule. Departments were replaced by interdisciplinary teams of teachers and…

A study involving 92 general educators and 114 special educators that examined perceptions of actual and preferred preassessment-related team activities and preferred permanent team members, found agreement on existing and preferred preassessment-related activities (clarifying students' problems, developing general curriculum interventions, and…

Examines what can happen when collegiality as process is opened to include students as well as teachers. This paper presents an example from one fourth-grade classroom where teachers and students alike engage in thoughtful conversations that lead to higher levels of learning and growth. (SM)

Describes two interdisciplinary high school courses team taught by English and social studies teachers: American Studies and World Studies. Discusses format and structure of the courses; presents a basic outline of each course; includes a description of a typical day in the courses; and offers examples of student projects. Offers hints and…

Notes the increasing influence of conservative politics on education at the local school board level. Offers a fairy tale written by a group of educators that raises questions about autonomy, control, and the need for participation in the context of the current conservative climate. (SR)

Reviews the literature on teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to, and research on the acquisition of first and second language by, students with visual impairments and sighted students. The need for close cooperation between vision teachers and ESL teachers is discussed. (Author/CR)

Describes traits of effective child care team members: instigator--develops ideas; day-dream believer--suggests solutions; jester--relieves tension; mother hen--ensures fair treatment; nervous Nellie--critiques ideas; keeper of the faith--focuses on center's mission; bull dog--keeps on task; compromiser--preserves unity; and mover and…

This article discusses the process and structures of teacher collaboration; the collaborative tools available to educators for accommodating students with disabilities in regular settings; and the instructional, curricular, and contextual factors in designing more inclusive educational programs. It proposes a decision network that collaborating…

Describes the development of a seamless curriculum of four methods courses--literacy, math, social studies, and science--within a transdisciplinary framework, defining transdisciplinary teaching and learning as a context and conveyor for knowledge influenced by the synergy between learners and teachers, which embraces collaboration,…

Presents perspectives and experiences of prospective science teachers who developed science lessons and small educational projects in collaboration with practicing elementary and middle school teachers. Concludes that prospective teachers perceived themselves to be more confident and more competent to teach science after the collaboration. (SOE)

Examined the impact of an interdisciplinary teacher project on the learning of preservice secondary teachers enrolled in a graduate level teacher education program. Data on four successive cohorts of students indicated that participants successfully created and implemented interdisciplinary curriculum and were quite positive about the experience.…

Brain researchers developed a three-tier model to treat reading problems, involving screening for early intervention, modifying regular instruction and monitoring student progress, and diagnosing and treating referred children. In a pilot of the model, 64 percent of 215 participating students needed no further intervention beyond tier 2. In…

Empathic e-mailing is one way of bringing new teachers together with their mentors without changing established schedules. This article notes the basic elements of effective and poor e-mail communication and describes how one public school system augments its mentor training staff development program with empathic writing, both during summer…

School districts and a college of education in Omaha, Nebraska, collaborate to reallocate existing resources for a teacher induction program that boosts the quality of teaching by both novice and experienced teachers and enhances job satisfaction. The program improves teacher quality by providing new teachers with mentors, continuing their…