High performing schools for young adolescents are developmentally responsive, academically excellent, and socially equitable. Necessary reform elements include professional development, technical assistance, coordination, networks, data-driven decision making, enlightened leadership, improved teacher preparation, a well-informed public, and…

Building on prior teacher workshops, online courses were developed to support classroom implementation of Ohio's English language arts standards by providing models of exemplary classroom practices and creating an online teacher community for sharing experiences and ideas. Although participants in the first course were primarily older teachers…

The Stanford Instructional Television Network (SITN), the largest single university provider of live televised graduate-level engineering courses worldwide, partners with industry to address issues of competitiveness and job productivity. SITN offers engineers, scientists and technical managers a means to extend their education without leaving the…

The RECEPTION GAME teaches conversation skills to adult foreign language learners with positions in international business and diplomacy. The design combines elements of simulation and experiential learning and takes into account conversation's rapport-building function, turn-taking mechanisms, open-ended structure, listening demands for following…

Discusses growing recognition of and pressure to improve the quality of early childhood services, and the resulting increased professionalism of practitioners. Considers broadening early childhood professionals' roles to include political action, conference presentations, and professional organization contributions. Concludes that the early goal…

Observes that technological advancement, shifting demographics, and a rapidly changing economy will determine the institutional character of tomorrow's university. Nonetheless, it is advantageous to protect faculty quality. Discusses universities that have responded with innovative programs involving peer review and professional development. (MJP)

One of four articles in the third section, "Reflection: What We Have Learned," this article describes the development of the collaborative between Indiana University Northwest and three urban school districts in Indiana (East Chicago, Gary, and Hammond). This collaborative became the Urban Teacher Education Program and has been operating…

This article describes the Council for Exceptional Children's professional standards for special education teachers, including the content standards and the knowledge and skill standards. Information is provided on how to use the standards to structure a professional development plan, maintain expertise and evaluate competency. Self-evaluation…

Describes the development of a collaborative Internet-based simulation game for learning to solve knowledge management problems. The game builds on two starting points: on psychological and pedagogical developments in learning and instruction, and on a perceived need for better training of people working in the emerging field of knowledge…

This is the second part of an article that explores key questions about the role of technology in early childhood training, continuing education, and professional development, and identifies issues and challenges of teaching online. This part focuses on specific strategies and effective practices faculty and trainers can use to create a community…

An Australian cultural diversity training program for rural teachers is described. The goal is to train local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal personnel to deliver diversity workshops to new teachers and establish school-community collaborative approaches to supporting Aboriginal students within their own cultural setting. Anticipated outcomes,…

Describes how the personal narratives of Vivian Paley led one early childhood specialist to surprising insights about the ways young children and adults learn. Focuses on the role of children's storytelling and playacting in supporting thinking, classroom discipline techniques, and using children's thinking to improve one's teaching skills. (KB)

Programs related to individuals with deafness are listed: federal programs, state vocational rehabilitation offices, regional and local programs, national professional organizations, the National Association of the Deaf, the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf, and the Convention of American Instructors of…

Reviews the concept of reflective practice within the framework of experiential learning theory. Discusses ways in which reflective practice advances professional practice for teachers and administrators. Explores the implications of these ideas for professional education and for school reform. (JS)

Focuses on the importance of teacher involvement in designing evaluation plans, climate setting, and awareness raising within the school. Emphasizes teacher appraisal as a step in the development of human resources. Recommends negotiated change and supporting teacher autonomy, rather than legislated change. Supports collegial relationships as a…