Immediate actions in any number of areas are required if those involved in teacher education are to restore their credibility and to prepare effective teachers for the future. Eight "imperatives" are identified and explained in detail. (JMK)

This article asserts that psychology has corrupted the teacher education process and that teacher education must emphasize the cultural and sociological aspects of schools. Suggestions for renewing schools as sites for pre- and in-service education and professional development are discussed. (DF)

Due to concern about regular classroom teachers' attitudes towards handicapped children, a study was performed on teacher trainees. Three groups of preservice teachers were studied: those in a mainstreaming program, a group of special education majors, and elementary school majors. Results show that the mainstreaming program helped modify trainee…

Describes the recent phenomenon of early exploratory field experiences in teacher education programs in the United States and Canada. Describes the rationale, structure, personnel, and reactions to the early field experience in the teacher preparation program at the University of Calgary. (SB)

Describes an effort to improve reading attitudes of Native student teachers during field center participation in the University of British Columbia's Native Indian Teacher Education Program through a developmental reading course requiring a daily 20-30 minute uninterrupted, sustained silent reading period. Evaluation shows significant positive…

Determined whether differences existed between the microcomputer implementation proneness of inservice teachers who were participating in workshops and exhibiting enthusiasm, and inservice teacher counterparts who were not engaged in professional development activities and were not concerned about microcomputer use. Also investigated the influence…

Academic institutions that prepare personnel to work in the field of special education face considerable challenges in finding and retaining qualified faculty. At the same time, a growing number of special education teachers and administrators choose academia as a second career. Few studies have sought to capture their lived experiences as shift…

The Board of Regents (BoR) and State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (SBESE) selected external consultants who possessed knowledge of current research and effective practices to review and evaluate redesigned programs for educational leaders and teachers. In addition, personnel from the Louisiana Department of Education reviewed all…

This paper addresses the role the community college plays and could play in solving the problem of critical teacher shortages across the country. It has been estimated that 2.7 million teaching positions in elementary and secondary schools will need to be filled within the next decade. The problem of teacher shortages is especially acute in rural…

This manual presents an online course about peer coaching derived from the Interactive Peer Coaching/Mentoring (IPCM) Project, a program designed to prepare teachers of students with severe behavioral disorders residing in a rural, remote area in North Dakota. The IPCM project was conducted from July 1997 through July 2000 and developed an…

Based on an influential talk by Lilian Katz on the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and the Project Approach, this paper recounts the establishment of a community of learners, including children, teachers, parents, and teacher educators, who worked together using the Project Approach. The work represents a deliberate effort to bring children into…

This project extending over three years was based on the premise that a digital divide exists between the technology skill levels of teacher education faculty and K-12 classroom teachers compared to those of undergraduate students. The Technology Mentor Fellowship Program (TMFP) matched technologically-proficient undergraduate students with K-12…

This article explores the spaces for possibilities of a pedagogy of authorship in teacher education. A critical, transformative framework is considered within the current practices and contexts of pre-service teachers. It examines ways to address students' fears in their own writing, and suggests ways to enhance confidence through authorship, so…

This guide is designed to encourage students, faculty, and policymakers to become more self-reflective in their inquiry. Placing the pursuit of ideas at the epicenter of research, K-12 and higher education scholars advance ideas for enhancing educational inquiry, relying extensively on narratives, vignettes, and examples of key episodes in…

This packet describes the Building Bridges Program at Illinois State University, which integrates the secondary preservice teacher education curriculum across English, history/social science, technology and business education. The goal of the program is to prepare preservice secondary teachers with experiences that promote their understanding of…