This study posits that instructional representations are viable assessment tools of subject matter knowledge within the context of lesson study. Evidence is provided and validated, suggesting that representations provide valuable insights into the depth and accuracy of the knowledge prospective teachers bring to instructional settings. It is…

This case study examines the growth of Chris, a novice string teacher who, after two years of near-failing evaluations, successfully received tenure following his third year of teaching. Observations and interviews with Chris and his supervisors and mentors provided varied perspectives on his progress. Improvement came during the third year, when…

Getting to the Fourth Year is a study being conducted by the Teacher Research Network (TRN) in Minnesota. The TRN was established in 1998 by five higher education institutions that collectively prepare about 75% of all K-12 teachers in the state. The vision of the collaborative was to begin the process of transforming teacher education in…

The study attempted to adapt two web tools, FFS system (Frontpage Feedback System) and WATA system (Web-based Assessment and Test Analysis System), to construct a Hi-FAME (High Feedback-Assessment-Multimedia-Environment) Model in WBI (Web-based Instruction) to facilitate pre-service teacher training. Participants were 30 junior pre-service…

For many teacher education programs, the development of the effective teacher is one of their primary goals. Research has shown that teachers' sense of efficacy is a significant indicator of effective teacher teachers. This study attempts to reveal novice, beginning, and expert science and mathematics in-service or pre-service teachers'…

Over the past five years, Pesek (Simoneaux), Gray and Golding have been actively involved in the Louisiana Systemic Initiative Program (LaSIP) and the Louisiana Collaborative for Excellence in the Preparation of Teachers (LACEPT) grants through Southeastern Louisiana University. Through these grants teachers from the region are inserviced on…

Preservice teacher preparation programs seek to provide experiences that support this process primarily through clinical and field components. More professional courses include field-based experiences. In addition, interest in and use of cases has been introduced as part of preservice programs to help prospective teachers focus on the dilemmas of…

This paper identifies existing and potential measures of teacher qualifications as a single aspect of teacher quality, emphasizing their underlying rationale, ways to use them, and availability and quality of data collected from various sources. It categorizes types of teacher qualification measures, discusses data sources, and notes availability…

This study identified 18 physical educators' perspectives on 3 critical elements of physical education teacher education (PETE) governance, curriculum, and evaluation. Data were collected through 90-minute audiotaped interviews. Establishment of data trustworthiness was achieved through triangulation by using member checks and a peer debriefer.…

Argues against using cute ideas for busywork in early childhood classrooms. Asserts that cute activities insult children's intellects, mistake doing with learning, often miseducate, undermine professionalism, and frequently undermine educational equity. Posits that cute ideas interfere with communication between adults and children, between…

Analyzes the ways in which some beginning primary school teachers cope when faced with teaching science. Examines aspects of a group of beginning primary teachers' science teaching practices in order to better understand the basis of their practice. Finds that activities that work have a close relationship with science Pedagogical Content…

Examined preservice teacher knowledge during peer coaching activities, noting how the roles of teacher and coach contributed to the development of teacher knowledge during an elementary physical education field-based methods course. Pedagogical content knowledge developed differently in the teaching and coaching roles. Growth in the teaching role…

Explores a way to enhance teachers' knowledge in Taiwan. Constructs cases involving episodes and issues from real classroom events as part of a school-based professional development project. Discusses the effects of the process of constructing these cases on teachers' awareness of students' difficulties in learning mathematics, pedagogical content…

Identifies the major tenets of a preservice secondary education program, knowledge structures that beginning science teachers have constructed about the teaching and learning of science, and the correlation between them. Findings indicate that aspects of the program such as student-centered learning, cooperative learning, general pedagogical…

This Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) position paper identifies the curricular areas that should be addressed in a preparation program for teachers at the elementary level. Outlines preferred knowledge in the following areas: general education, foundations of elementary education, child development, the learning and…