Three case studies illustrate how recent classroom observation research has led to more active participation on the part of teachers, principals, and supervisors. The groups have worked closely to understand how the core French program works in the classroom. Participatory research is seen as an important professional development opportunity for…

Presents an interview with Richard Kunkel, Executive Director of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) from 1984-90 (a time when NCATE was undergoing a major change). Kunkel discusses the impact of accreditation and the NCATE redesign on the improvement of the teaching profession. (SM)

Describes a study of state employees that was conducted to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the use of teleconferencing to increase creativity among workers. A model of creativity is explained, the pretest/posttest used to assess teleconferencing effectiveness is presented, and implications for teleconferencing are discussed. (eight…

Describes Texas'"Enhancing the Quality and Retention of Minority Teachers and Teachers in Critical Shortage Areas Project" which uses peer coaching in teacher training, incorporating accountability, assistance, and professional development systems. Peer coaching helps support first year teachers by promoting their professional and…

Presents data from surveys and interviews with 129 beginning secondary teachers (trained, untrained, and partially trained) and a survey of school principals in Hong Kong. Differences between trained and untrained groups indicated a need for preservice training and induction for all beginning teachers. (SM)

Describes three typical routes by which people become early childhood professionals: the traditional, parental, and serendipitous routes. Discusses the conceptual model of the career lattice, which the National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development plans to promote. (LB)

Describes a concerns-based approach to professional development programs designed to implement current reforms in mathematics education. Identifies seven Stages of Concern and includes a table of typical statements, expressions of concern, and intervention strategies a change facilitator can follow with teachers at each stage. (MDH)

Describes a federally funded peer mentoring project for faculty development at a rural two-year college. Presents three case studies of mentoring within a division, across divisions, and interdisciplinary mentoring. Includes mentor and mentoree narratives. Offers suggestions on initiating and structuring peer mentor projects, and describes…

The dominant model of teacher evaluation is inadequate. Formative evaluation should be emphasized over summative evaluation, and new approaches must use legal procedures, design content-valid instruments, develop reliable indicators, and use effective conferencing techniques. Motivation and development must become the focus of teacher evaluation.…

Described is a professional development program at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. Discussed are the teaching of the relationship of civil engineering to society and ethics, issues about the style of this type of course, and summative evaluation. Recommendations are provided. (CW)

Describes the National Library Power Program, a collaborative effort sponsored by the Dewitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund in cooperation with local education funds and public school districts that was designed to create public elementary and middle school library programs that are central to the education program of the school. (LRW)

Describes the Georgia Instructor Academy, established to enhance the quality of Georgia's postsecondary technical teachers through technical training and professional development. Discusses the development of program standards and curriculum guides by Georgia's Board of Technical and Adult Education, the Technical Education: Guaranteed program,…

This article discusses the preliminary planning and initial year of implementation (1992-93) of a partnership, which established six professional development schools, between Indiana State University and four local school districts. Selection criteria, governance, funding, and outcomes are discussed. (Contains 18 references.) (IAH)

Teachers (n=84), principals (n=108), and teacher educators (n=128) were surveyed to determine their views about the most important components of professional development schools and the most important skills that should be taught to teachers who are active in professional development schools. (IAH)

Presents a profile of teacher education students, focusing on students' demographic characteristics, their reasons for entering teaching, their attitudes toward teaching as a profession, and commitment to teaching as a lifelong career. Implications for reform are considered. (Author/GLR)