Discusses the consultation model and the role of the classroom consultant for providing gifted/talented education in inclusive classrooms. Stresses the importance of training and support in the transition from being a teacher of the gifted to being a consultant. (DB)

Describes a survey of services provided by schools for pupils with learning difficulties and challenging behavior in Britain. Analysis of the responses of 80 teachers indicated a need for in-class staff support, curriculum access, and additional facilities and resources for such pupils. The value of teacher collaboration in solving problems is…

The experiences of two teachers describe how BreadNet, an online professional-development and educational conference, enables teachers with similar interests to work together and maintain a sense of community. BreadNet allowed their rural schools to participate in projects with distant schools, leading to improvements in the quantity and quality…

This review of 5 books, 21 articles, and 11 papers on general- and special-education collaboration found that the dominant culture of individualism and balkanization in higher education institutions, the lack of appropriate reward structures for collaboration, and contrived collegiality inhibit the development of collaboration. Characteristics of…

Describes the Vienna (Austria) School-Based Teacher Development Project, an innovative inservice-teacher-training project that views faculty development as a process that should allow teachers to participate in decision making within their schools. A key feature is that teachers acquire new knowledge and skills while they improve their group…

A survey of 230 secondary school principals found that they viewed their leadership skills for guiding collaborative-based programs to be within the average range. Predictors of their self-perceived competence were clock hours in noncredit-generative professional-development activities, academic degrees, and number of years teaching in general…

Discusses issues regarding the mainstreaming or locating of English-as-a-Second- (ESL) or Additional- (EAL) Language in the mainstream curriculum classroom. Presents the perspectives of the class teachers who are responsible for language and learning development of these students and reports on interviews with the class teachers who have…

This study used focus groups to examine the perspectives of students with and without learning disabilities and their parents regarding collaborative teaching. Both students and parents expressed high levels of satisfaction with the model. Concerns included poor communication regarding the model to parents, the need to ensure alternative models…

Presents a collaborative, problem-solving approach for including students with disabilities in general-education classes. Parents' views of inclusion, implementation of inclusion, empirical support for inclusion, strategies and tactics related to successful inclusion, types of inclusion problems, and steps for applying collaborative…

This case study of a 14-year-old boy with severe disabilities describes the collaboration of a team of educators who sought to include him in eighth-grade general-education classes. His inclusion plan included four steps: planning, selecting classes, accommodating, and collaborating. The accomplishments of the student's inclusion in earth science…

This article describes peer coaching as a method for teacher improvement and offers guidelines for establishing a peer coaching program for early childhood and early childhood special education teachers and related services professionals. It also identifies common problems and possible solutions of peer coaching programs. Sample forms for use in…

A study of 44 rural midwestern teachers participating in three telecollaborative projects examined their experiences with technology use. Results indicate teachers attributed improved student learning to technology use; online communication with peers and experts reduced teacher isolation, enhanced professional practice, and gave access to…

Describes how one university's teacher education program infuses issues of inquiry, reflection, equity, and diversity, examining reasons for preparing teachers this way and arguing that school-based inquiry and reflection should be deeply imbedded in teacher preparation programs, which are linked to practical experiences. Examples of collaborative…

Describes an early field experience program designed to help student teachers develop and enhance reflective thinking skills and value reflections and to model collaborative learning. Data from observations, interviews, and journals indicated that the program enabled student teachers to grapple more effectively with the complexities of the…

Describes one university's Senior Festival, in which seniors in the Early Childhood and Elementary Education program document their progress by displaying and sharing their work with faculty and students. The Festival develops students' collaboration and critical thinking skills and celebrates accomplishments meaningfully. This improves school…