The teacher education program at Western Montana College helps preservice teachers understand how the local context of the rural school and its community impacts student learning and the teacher's role. Coursework and multiple field experiences help preservice teachers identify their own cultural background and give them experience in teaching…

Summarizes the results of an experiment that asks 363 postgraduate student teachers in England to draw a sketch map of the British Isles. The maps were scored in terms of the number and definition of coastal features drawn and the relative area of the constituent political units. (MJP)

Two surveys of 64 university teacher preparation programs in deaf education and 62 instructional programs providing direct services to students with hearing impairments evaluated the role of Gallaudet University's Doctoral Program in Deaf Education in providing leadership personnel. Findings support the need for additional leadership personnel for…

This article reviews and synthesizes recent research on higher education faculty shortages in the special education field, and outlines areas of needed research. Issues discussed include high attrition rates, faculty diversity, and insufficient and misplaced incentives. Strengths and weaknesses of available research are discussed. (Author/PB)

Describes a project conducted in a reading methods course for preservice elementary education students to model how technology can be incorporated into the curriculum to facilitate learning as well as provide hands-on experiences with computer applications. The project involved corresponding with third-graders by means of electronic mail. (SD)

Describes a technology-mediated field experience for preservice teachers built on an emerging Professional Development School network and a two-way television system. Surveys of participants in both televised and in-person observations indicated students preferred in-person observations, though very few said they observed educationally sound…

This article introduces two articles that address the history and funding of personnel preparation for special education in general and the specific history of federal funding for general education teachers to work well with students with disabilities. It urges the incorporation of accountability in teacher education programs to justify funding.…

Profiles two middle school teacher-education programs: (1) the undergraduate program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and (2) the graduate program at Maryville University in St. Louis County, Missouri. Emphasizes the need to provide special preparation to the teachers at this level. Discusses problems related to the rarity of…

Recounts the development and implementation of a portfolio assessment program for student teachers. The program developed a set of goals for the portfolio experience and tied these to reflective questions concerning classroom management, reading/language arts, and videotaped lesson teaching. The portfolio assessment resulted in significant student…

Examines key influences on science teaching and teacher education since 1955. Suggests a new paradigm for elementary science teacher education. Presents case for three theoretical constructs that can inform policy and programs in science teacher education: constructivism, reflection, and professional community. Suggests that because of the…

Discusses the quality of K-12 physical education programs, the effectiveness of physical education teacher education (PETE) and the ways and extent to which each plays a part in the success or failure of the other. The paper examines how to redesign PETE to ensure systemic success. (SM)

Discussion of teacher education begins by focusing on beliefs about learning that are built on recent understandings about language. Changes that teacher educators have explored in their classrooms and programs are then considered. (BB)

Discusses changes in chemistry education from 1983 to 1988. Describes the past and present situation of chemistry education. Reports on current teacher education programs. (MVL)

Describes the development and implementation of National Science Foundation (NSF) funded workshops for inservice secondary school biology teachers. Suggests a format for inservice teacher education projects generalized from the experience of teacher activities with respect to human genetics and bioethical decision-making. (YP)

Describes the design, content, and delivery strategies of the Multidistrict Trainer of Trainers Institute (MTTI), which helps educators apply research findings on bilingual instruction. Reports survey responses of MTTI trainers and participants concerning the impact of MTTI on participants' classroom practices and peer coaching skills. Contains 30…