Through Dean's Grant funding, the College of Education at Illinois State University (Normal) initiated a reconceptualization of its four-semester elementary teacher preparation program named "CORE." This article describes the collaborative program planning effort. One of seven Dean's Grant programs for PL 94-142 training described in…

Describes a three-week, six credit, summer institute in New Brunswick designed to expose preservice teachers to the evolving understandings of giftedness and gifted learners. A survey of 25 participants indicates the institute was most successful in changing teachers awareness of giftedness and recognizing gifted learners' needs. (CR)

This is an outline of a paper on practical experience in teacher education. The topics are the function of practicums in the teacher education curriculum; and conditions for developing good practicums (institutional context, perceptions about teaching practice by the agents involved, university instructors and school based mentors, and structure…

Describes how one group of beginning preservice teachers constructed meaning about portfolios during an introductory course in the teacher education programs. Surveys of students who had and had not participated in a portfolio-like intervention indicated that intervention students had significantly increased knowledge and understanding of the…

This article provides an historical analysis of federal support for personnel preparation in special education. The evolution of the program is traced in terms of its continued emphasis on increasing and improving the quality of special education personnel as well as building capacity for preparation of future personnel. (Contains references.)…

Discusses British Columbia College of Teachers' (BCCT) denial of Trinity Western University's (TWU) teacher education programs and teacher certification due to TWU's prohibition of homosexuality. Reports that TWU filed suit, and the Supreme Court of Canada determined that BCCT's action interfered with TWU's right to religious freedom. (Contains 32…

This article describes the Michigan Teacher Technology Initiative, a program currently being implemented that provides a one-time investment (not to exceed $1,200) of technology to teachers. Professional development courses that teach general and special education teachers strategies for integrating technology into the curriculum are also…

The team teaching experiences of teachers in special education courses at the higher education level are recounted. The differences in the teaching of the courses are examined and context, content, and learner factors that impact team teaching are identified. Ways to facilitate and prepare teachers for team teaching at the university level are…

Examines the sixth target of the National Agenda for Achieving Better Results for Children and Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) by providing examples of training efforts that focus on improving the capacities and skills of educators as well as the supports behind them. Makes recommendations for improving the inservice and preservice…

Discusses how collaboration between the special education department of the University of South Florida and local schools addressed problems with the schools' inclusionary practices. Describes a collaborative model of inclusion and a systemic school restructuring project that emerged as a result of the university-school collaborations. (CR)

Despite the growing teacher shortage, teacher educators must maintain program quality. A teacher education program in Washington explains program expectations to applicants and identifies potentially problematic students during a screening session. A student manual explains student rights and responsibilities, and student progress is tracked so…

A study involving 230 university special educators found they have heard of self-determination as a concept and believe it is important to teach the core skills that allow students with disabilities an opportunity to be self-determined. However, knowledge they received in undergraduate and graduate programs fell short of their needs. (Contains…

A teacher education program which merged elementary and special education into one major was evaluated using naturalistic inquiry methodology. A discussion is presented on the methodology, the process, the major findings, and implications for evaluation of teacher education programs. (JD)

This article explains the basic tenets of the skills-based and the holistic philosophies of reading instruction. Although the skills-based approach is dominant in both schools and teacher education, debate exists about the most effective approach. (IAH)

Discusses how changing family structures make values education and the development of strong parent-school partnerships imperative. Examines the teacher education program at New York's Bank Street College of Education and its efforts to create a school environment honoring human dignity and values education intended to provide a model for…