The history of Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs is outlined. The areas in which teaching shortages continue to exist are identified and MAT programs are urged to work to alleviate these shortages. Teacher shortages for prison inmates, youngsters with reading and language handicaps, and ghetto children are described. (MLW)

This project at Western Illinois University is a two-semester, participation-based, competency program designed to train undergraduate and graduate students to work with handicapped infants and preschoolers in a variety of service delivery settings. One of seven Dean's Grant programs for PL 94-142 training described in this issue. (Author/SJL)

Four programs for exceptional children (including physically disabled, minority, delinquent) are described in the column. Contact names and addresses for each program are provided. (Author/PHR)

This article describes a University of Pittsburgh course for preservice teachers entitled, "Using the Museum as a Resource." The goal of this interdisciplinary offering is to emphasize the use of museum resources as a base for curriculum development. (Author/SJL)

This paper focuses on a university library partnership program and describes what is being done to link libraries more effectively with teachers, student teachers, and teaching educators. In particular, the experience of future teachers at California State University, Long Beach and the University Library is presented. (AEF)

Examines recent developments in Australian early childhood teacher education, including its location within the university system and the implications posed by current employment settings. Discusses the relationship between early childhood and elementary education, the lack of national attention to early childhood teacher education, broad-based…

Describes a college course enhanced by hands-on science applications and a service-learning project. Requires registered students to participate in volunteer training at a nature center and offers certification in several environmental education curricula. Reports successful outcomes with regard to conceptual development and teaching experiences.…

Describes teacher education courses that can serve as models for integrating technology into preservice education. Stresses the importance of learning about technology with technology, an approach that has been integrated into preservice social studies methods classes at the University of New Mexico. Discusses computer discourse and classroom…

Discusses the role of long-term homeschooled students in providing clinical teaching opportunities for preservice physical educators. The paper describes two physical education teacher education programs, at Asbury College (Kentucky) and Appalachian State University (North Carolina), that illustrate how homeschooled children fit into preservice…

Reviews a recommendation that all entrants into English and Welsh primary initial teacher training should possess a science GCSE pass. Identifies potential problems related to recruitment and adequate time allotted for the curriculum. (DDR)

Eight focus groups of teachers of students who are deaf/hard of hearing identified language instructional practices associated with either oral communication or total communication. This generated a set of 79 statements of practices that were then verified by program supervisors using a Likert-type scale. Teachers' identified practices differed…

Describes factors contributing to the successful planning and implementation of alternative teacher certification programs in one Texas community college school district. Asserts that if community colleges are to become major players in alternative teacher certification, they need to carefully assess the local market first, working in close tandem…

Reports on Try Science, a program designed to investigate the learning experiences and outcomes of teachers engaged in a unique collaboration--a master's degree program in science education for elementary and middle school teachers conducted entirely online. Discusses the learning experiences, degree of understanding of meaning of inquiry in…

Presents the Nevada Science Teacher Enhancement Project (N-STEP) in which 50 high school teachers worked with research scientists, educational faculty, and high school students on authentic, field-based research projects in the geosciences, biological sciences, or social sciences. Indicates improved satisfaction of teachers and students with their…

A study investigated relationships among 59 elementary teachers' reading-related content knowledge, their philosophical orientation toward reading instruction, their classroom practice, and their students' learning. Relationships emerged between content knowledge and instruction and between kindergarten teachers' phonological knowledge and their…