This study was designed to determine if there were significant differences in the opinions of two groups of student teachers regarding their teaching experience. One group completed student teaching in a teacher/teaching center, the other completed student teaching outside of a teacher/teaching center. Their opinions were measured with twelve…

Reports results of a survey of teachers' direct contact and experience with exceptional students in their classes. Results indicate the majority of teachers have had some experience. (SL)

The possible sources of preservice teachers' unrealistic job expectations (that they will encounter few difficulties) were studied. By applying ideas developed in a study of "unrealistic optimism," a framework for such an analysis is given and the findings of an initial study of 118 students are reported. (JL)

A study of randomly selected Nebraska schools found that small rural elementary schools tended to employ teachers with fewer years of experience than did larger rural or semirural schools. Of 29 rural schools with one or two teachers, there were 14 schools (48%) where average teacher experience was 0-3 years. (JHZ)

Five expert teachers in gifted education and ten teachers without specialized training were compared on perceptions of and provision for gifted students. Responses differed markedly in allocation of responsibility for learning, depth of suggested activities, general organizational schema, programming of academic subjects, perception of the…

Views of teaching assistants (TAs) concerning the significance and impact of the job are considered, along with their interactions with the college and students. Teaching competence, knowledge, facilitating learning, TAs' responsibilities to the student, and feedback to TAs are also covered, including first person comments of three TAs. (SW)

Examines the employment potential of re-entry and non-entry teachers and argues that they should be considered seriously. (HOD)

Achievement and student attitudes were studied using data from 250 secondary Ontario mathematics classes. The differences between semester schools versus year-long schools were examined. Hours of instruction and teachers' experience were also noted. Lower achievement was observed in semester classes, with no advantage in student attitudes.…

Describes a study conducted to determine if selected demographic variables were related to job satisfaction of vocational agriculture teachers in the Southeast United States as measured by the Job Descriptive Index. The research procedures and findings are presented, along with the authors' recommendations. (CT)

Student teachers' performances were examined in relation to age, prior teaching experience, scholastic aptitude, teaching attitudes, moral reasoning ability, conceptual level, and ego development. Performance was found to be most dependent on ego development, and to a much lesser degree on other characteristics. (Author/DWH)

Although senior faculty are the best prepared to deal with the cognitive and skill deficiencies of today's beginning students, they typically choose to have little direct contact with them. One reason is students' underpreparation and poor writing, and one possible remedy is interdisciplinary collaboration on course development and implementation.…

This study describes the results of a three-year evaluative investigation of a project designed to enhance teacher use of cooperative goal structuring strategies with resultant changes in the classroom learning environment and achievement gains in reading and language arts. (Authur/BW)

Since 1982, the "MetLife Survey of the American Teacher" has examined issues related to education from a variety of perspectives. Surveys in 2001 and 2002 revealed that feelings of alienation from school are prevalent among students, teachers, and parents at the secondary level, resulting in breakdown of the educational process. People do not feel…

This study compared more than 1,000 high school students who participated in service-learning programs with those who did not participate in schools matched for similar demographics and student achievement profiles. The intention was to estimate the effects of service-learning compared to more traditional ways of teaching similar subject areas.…

This study investigates the possible relationship between teachers' perception of their classroom technological resources and the perceived feasibility of implementation of their Connecticut Teacher Technology Competencies (2001) Level II (LII) proposals. The impact of gender, years of teaching experience, and level of education were evaluated…