An overview and criticism of trends in American education is followed by a suggested framework for reorganization of American schools. (MM)

Explores how competency tests and other measures can be used to improve the quality of teaching in the current context of teacher preparation. Proposes a teacher education model aimed at early motivation toward teaching careers, stronger subject-matter competence, and master's degree level preparation. (GC)

Discusses (1) a Michigan court decision concerning reverse discrimination and voluntary affirmative action policies; (2) the Massachusetts Supreme Court's rejection of the work-to-rule strategy; and (3) an Arkansas law that will allow teachers failing a basic skills and literacy test to be fired only when their state certification expires. (MLF)

Teachers who took a training course in classroom behavior were observed by external raters as more emotional, warm, and appreciative than those who were not trained. (Author/DEP)

The Urban Teacher Preparation Program, a Masters Degree program which represents a unique cooperative relationship between Syracuse Public Schools and Syracuse University began in 1964 and still continues to meet the need to provide the specialized kind of training which prepares teachers to have a positive impact on the lives of minority youth.…

In an initiative designed to help teachers meet the Highly Qualified Teacher requirement of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, the Arlington Independent School District (AISD) in Arlington, Texas has partnered with Texas Woman's University (TWU) to offer a master's degree in reading to any teachers working in Title I schools. This initiative is…

Teacher-trainers say they'd be more apt to grant degree credit if better ways are found to test for job-learned skills. (Editor)

Two field-based teacher education programs at North Texas State University are described. The West Dallas Teacher Education Project prepares education students to work in inner-city, urban schools, and the North Texas Cooperative Teacher Education Project allows education students to work as paraprofessional teacher aides. (CJ)

The competency-based teacher education movement introduced evaluation of individual and institutional effectiveness at every level of teacher training. Though it has not accomplished its promised reform of teacher education, CBTE has stimulated research, it has triggered changes in teacher certification requirements, and its influence is found…

Describes an evaluation of performance-based teacher education (PBTE) programs conducted in three Australian states for technical and further education teachers during 1979. The objectives of the research included effectiveness of the PBTE approach, reactions of participants in the programs, and institutional considerations in its operation.…

The mastery approach was taken with physical education majors at the sophomore level. The approach was based on several considerations which included the achievement of a minimum competency level. The students were allowed to select one of three options to achieve this level. (JN)

Bilingual teacher education in California is examined. A discussion of such issues as the status of bilingual teachers, competencies for bilingual teachers, and bilingual secondary and vocational teacher education is followed by a list of recommendations for teacher training institutions. (FG)

A study was conducted to identify and gain consensus on teacher competencies that should be demonstrated by industrial arts student teachers. Classroom teachers, teacher educators, and supervisors rated 90 percent of the 81 competencies studied as being of extremely high, high, or medium importance. (LRA)