A teacher's journal reflects her experience of designing and teaching writing courses at a Massachusetts alternative high school for high-risk students, her experience of using writing for personal healing, and the resistance she encountered when encouraging students to use writing as a means for personal growth and overcoming trauma. (LP)

Professors from Australia's Queensland University introduce the concept of a "practernship" that is a variation of typical internship/apprenticeship programs for preservice teachers. The "practernship" combines practice teaching and internship, encourages collaboration and professional development, and promotes a holistic,…

Examines the stories that teachers tell each other in the staff room. Identifies and characterizes these stories according to what they reveal about teachers' concepts concerning power and the teachers' role. Explores how these concepts develop in the wider sociocultural climate of the school. (MJP)

Eleven summer internships, work experience programs, research opportunities, and courses are described. Some offer stipends. Some are specifically for American Indian, minority, disadvantaged, or disabled students in high school or college. Most are in science or engineering related fields. Each entry contains a brief program description,…

Comments on the future of whole language, predicting that the movement will continue to expand with an increased understanding of the role that language plays in learning, a growing respect for alternate ways of knowing, and a renewed interest in curriculum. (BB)

Describes an adult literacy program in which semiliterate adults improve their skills by reading to children at a New York (New York) daycare center. The adults are able to use developmentally appropriate books without losing self-esteem and the children benefit from initial literacy experiences. (FMW)

Describes a program in a first grade classroom in a rural school district which integrates holistic and direct instructional ideas by using the basal reader as one part of an otherwise holistic literacy program. Presents the major benefits of and some concerns about the program. (RS)

Looks at effective teaching research in order to identify a "correct" teaching sequence. Analyzes rehearsals to determine how teachers with varied levels of training and experience conformed to the optimal sequence. Finds that teachers spent too little time in correct sequences and failed to use enough positive reinforcement. (Author/LS)

Findings from a study, based on observation of dyadic teacher-student interaction in high school science classes, indicate that teachers of all levels of experience tend to interact more with male students than female students, and both newly prepared and experienced teachers lack the skills needed to alter their gender-biased behaviors. (IAH)

Discusses recent shift in role of school district administrator from that of "chief" to that of coordinator, who influences educational policy decisions through "political" style. Describes new postgraduate internship programs for beginning teachers in Alberta and British Columbia; outlines effective responses of district…

Discusses how interactive, whole class techniques (using a student-generated Big Book adaptation of "Corduroy") improved the reading skills of high risk first grade readers. Describes several activities, including sight word strategies, decoding techniques, and word processing, and suggests 27 Big Books for use with these activities. (MM)

Describes the field experience component of Hawaii's PETOM (Preservice Education for Teachers of Minorities) program. Student teachers visit rural schools, becoming acquainted with their future students and schools. PETOM offers experience with many classrooms and teaching modules. Students are encouraged to reflect and analyze, thus developing…

Contends that barriers to effective education can be overcome by using the community as a living laboratory for social studies learning. Discusses out-of-school learning opportunities that meet four criteria: (1) goal relevance; (2) appropriate level of difficulty; (3) feasibility; and (4) cost effectiveness. (CFR)

A University of Missouri-St. Louis program combines a two-year optometric residency with a master of science degree in gerontology to prepare clinicians as teachers of geriatric optometry. The interdisciplinary program's components include optometric care of elderly patients, supervised student teaching, and coursework in geriatrics. (Author/MSE)

Harvard University's new dental school curriculum, and the changes mandated for its implementation, are discussed. The curriculum is characterized by small tutorial groups, student-centered instruction, and clinical treatment teams. The innovations have required significant institutional revitalization efforts and financial investment, with…