This paper describes the findings of a three-year research project on teacher development in which some New Zealand science teachers were developing their teaching to take into account students' thinking and constructivist views of learning. The main finding was that the teacher development and learning involved professional, personal, and social…

Outlines a framework for shaping reform policies on strategies for enhancing teacher capacity, using interview data from a study conducted in California, Michigan, and Vermont. Michigan has developed subject-matter objectives and assessments, Vermont uses a portfolio assessment system to help teachers learn about problem solving and develop new…

A professional development model implemented in rural Iowa schools involves participation of school teams in school improvement, technical assistance based on needs assessment, focus on teaching and learning strategies that promote meaningful connections, extended planning time, recognition that change requires long-term support, networking of…

The University of Massachusetts Simmons School Health Institute delivers a series of professional development programs across Massachusetts to improve statewide delivery of comprehensive school health programs to children and adolescents. The programs emphasize student risk assessment, health program design and management, and school-based clinic…

This article describes the orientation given to preservice teacher education students by a university liaison before the students begin early field experiences in professional development school (PDS) settings. An outline of expectations for these PDS students includes specific activities, hours, and assignments for the PDS-based early field…

Argues for a conversational community within the social studies profession. Explores relevant attributes of such a community. Suggests that researchers ask (1) who speaks, (2) the topics of discourse, and (3) how language is used. Concludes that a conversational community does exist but is kept from its full potential by distrust between teachers…

Organizations, foundations, and individuals are concentrating their energies on making teaching a true profession. They are seeking changes in the way teachers are prepared, how they are evaluated and certified, their continuing professional development, and their compensation and working conditions. (Author/IAH)

Examines the preservice teacher education role of professional development schools in the context of school-university partnerships. The necessary joining of K-12 and university cultures raises numerous problems, including dealing with cultural clash and schools of education, sustaining leadership and commitment, providing adequate resources,…

Presents five teachers' narratives about their learning experiences during sabbatical leaves funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities/Reader's Digest Teacher-Scholars program. Stresses insights to be incorporated into their teaching methods in English and Black literature, children's literature, Chinese culture, and the history of the…

This article examines leading proposals from the past four decades, the 1950s through the 1980s, for the reform of teacher education and outlines guidelines for determining the inherent worth and substance of teacher education reform proposals. (IAH)

Examines common assumptions about the nature of teaching and professional learning that influence the design of teacher education courses. These assumptions are contrasted with current empirical research about teacher knowledge. A role for the emerging theory in the analysis, evaluation, and development of professional training courses is…

Describes collaboration between the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) and local schools to implement a clinically based professional development model in which practitioners and researchers work together to provide meaningful practicum experiences for preservice physical education teachers. A survey of preservice teachers, university faculty, and…

The problems faced by the author as an external evaluator responsible for evaluating a grass roots initiative for school managers in Great Britain are examined. The focus is on evaluating a management development program in the field and training an evaluator, rather than on outcomes of the program itself. (SLD)

One of five articles on professional development schools in this theme issue. Naturalistic research methods were used to identify the characteristics that supported changes in professional development initiatives, restructuring, and teaching and learning in Crescentview School (Michigan), a multicultural, multilingual, elementary professional…

Data from a descriptive study of the impact of professional development school (PDS) involvement on teacher preparation at three Massachusetts colleges is related to three themes: uniqueness of PDS-related techniques, approaches, and philosophy; mechanism and spread of these techniques, approaches, and philosophy; and signs of institutionalization…