Discusses mentoring as a professional development strategy to meet the needs of experienced and novice practitioners. Defines mentoring and differentiates it from supervision. Discusses the following aspects of early childhood mentoring programs: (1) goals and assumptions; (2) design and structure, including mentor qualifications and training; (3)…

Presents the results of a statewide survey of Kansas art teachers. Teachers revealed that Discipline Based Art Education had little influence on them. Primary areas of concern were lack of funding and low status of art programs. Includes statistical analysis of the relationship between teaching experience, level of education, and teaching…

A qualitative study investigated the evolving university liaison role in developing and implementing a professional development school partnership. Partnership governance is outlined, and issues and obstacles to collaboration are examined. An important obstacle is the university faculty promotion and reward system. Steps taken to promote faculty…

Highlights the importance of teacher education that places preservice teachers in the classroom for extended time periods before they engage in education courses, demonstrating how a teaching approach that acknowledges and builds upon early experiences can have positive results when preservice teachers take ownership of their own professional…

The Valley City State University (North Dakota) Center for Innovation in Instruction serves the entire state as an educational, informational, and support center for use of emerging technologies in education. The center supports instructional innovation, provides professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, promotes…

This study investigated how undergraduate students make meaning from instances of cultural conflict within juvenile novels. Student logs, discussion groups, postwriting, and classroom observations indicated that the case method had strengths and weaknesses, but overall, it encouraged reflection on critical issues. (SM)

Provides summary reports of 81 innovative approaches to medical education in the areas of program management and assessment, admission and student-support programs, computer applications, preclinical and clinical course integration, development of professional skills and values, introduction to clinical medicine, community-based experiences,…

Reviews the literature on the characteristics of the good language learner and language teacher, showing those traits contributing to effective language learning as well as literature outlining practices and activities contributing to the development of a good language teacher. Includes an activity performance checklist. (14 references) (Author/CK)

The first part of this article looks at new roles and responsibilities for teachers, and how they develop from the mission and goals of the professional development school (PDS). The second part examines how experienced and preservice teachers are being prepared and supported for these new roles, and explores implications for schools,…

Describes a partnership effort between a small college and a small elementary school that focused on the student teaching experience. Surveys of partnership and nonpartnership teachers and student teachers indicated that the partnership succeeded due to teacher commitment, the small size of the partnership program, and the principal's complex…

One of five articles in the section on the "Promise and Purpose of Professional Development Schools," this article examines challenges that arise when preservice teacher education occurs mainly within professional development schools (PDS). Suggests that for PDS to promote reform, partners must set aside preconceived notions and share in decision…

One of five articles in the second section, "Deepening Relationships through PDS Brings Change in Practice," this article describes the Five-Year Teacher Preparation Program at Temple University (Pennsylvania). This program integrates pedagogy and instruction with coursework in arts and sciences. It involves dialog between the College of…

One of five articles in the second section, "Deepening Relationships through PDS Brings Change in Practice," this article discusses a course on portfolios for middle school teachers at a professional development school given by an Indiana State University professor. Presents teachers' insights and feelings about the course. (SM)

A longitudinal action-research project began with professional development to help elementary teachers understand differences between the collectivist values of most Latin Americans and the individualistic values of the dominant U.S. culture. Teachers could then capitalize on the collectivist values of helping others to support Latino student…

This article reports on an interactional ethnographic study of three professional-development conversations on the participation of students with special needs in guided inquiry science instruction. It focuses on how teachers' thinking about the use of small-group work changed over the course of the conversations and led to modifications in…