Reports the findings of a study that collected data from 14 college and high school faculty in a self-instructional teaching analysis program: their perceptions of the usefulness of the approach, the materials used, and the time required to administer the program compared with similar services from a specialist. (Author/JD)

Among the techniques used by successful teacher-writers such as Herbert Kohl, Phillip Lopate, and James Herndon in teaching writing are the use of extensive speaking activities, the accommodation of different writing habits, the admission that writing is difficult, and the use of varied media. (ET)

Reviews research relating teacher flexibility to teaching effectiveness and presents results of a survey of adult students' perceptions of flexibility and its effect on their own learning. (SK)

Using the Flanders model, compares verbal interaction patterns in 16 New York City classrooms to determine if these patterns vary according to the social class and racial composition of the student populations. (BE)

Role-taking, peer supervision, and gradual peer leadership evolution appear a promising method of producing positive psychological development during the student teacher experience. (JD)

It was found that teachers who have frequent contacts with parents were more likely to feel responsible for initiating contact and comfortable about meeting parental expectations, but that they had less support from parents than other teachers. (JD)

This article details the attitudes, skills, and characteristics of an effective teacher. A list of 23 generic competencies in the areas of communication skills, basic knowledge, technical skills, interpersonal skills, and administrative skills is given. (JN)

This paper examines implementation of two innovations in first-year science: mixed-ability grouping and guided-discovery methods. Interviews with 24 teachers indicated that they interpreted and implemented the innovations so that their conventional teaching methods were minimally changed. The paper concludes with recommendations for effective…

Suggestions on how to make English classes a positive part of the tragic experience of students reacting to the death of a classmate. (RL)

A competency-based teacher education program, combined with a data-based classroom observation system, appeared to control, to an extent, the selected behaviors of student teachers and their classes. (CJ)

Pupil behaviors during oral reading influence teacher response more strongly than do preconceived pupil status variables. The research findings are also related to the formation of teacher expectations. (CJ)

Teacher educators are encouraged to respond to variations in the needs of individual teachers. To do this, educators need to devise preservice programs which involve development of teacher tasks for individual teachers. Teacher behaviors are observable indications of teachers' abilities to accomplish these tasks. (JN)

Future staff development designs must be consistent with the organizational and environmental realities teachers confront each day. Various existing staff development programs are described and suggestions are made for alternative solutions which incorporate organizational and environmental factors. (JN)

There is a great need for theoretical frameworks to generate research that could help to guide the development of teacher education programs. Studies of successful adult functioning in complex careers support the construct validity of developmental stage as predictor. (JN)

The central task of the teacher is to accomplish tasks that will result in pupil learning. Research on the effects that certain competencies have on teacher behavior and student academic achievement is needed. (CJ)