Urges music teacher certification to increase professionalism. Describes two certification programs that will begin to issue certifications during the 1990s: the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and the Music Educators National Conference (MENC). Expresses concern that certification will only be accepted if it focuses on…

Discusses the explosive growth of management education institutions in the former Soviet Union. Argues that few people in the country have enough knowledge of business management to teach it. Suggests that even those who study management overseas are learning little. Describes the establishment of Moscow State University's management school. (SG)

Thinking Mathematics is an American Federation of Teachers program that united teachers and researchers in face-to-face dialogue aimed at translating mathematics research into professional development material for teachers. Teachers played an increasingly prominent role, evolving into the primary decision makers about content, style, and the…

Discusses the concept of a mentor and addresses the need for women to develop and use mentor relationships to succeed within the library environment. Topics addressed include myths and female career development; the importance of the informal organization; female socialization and achievement-directed behavior; and how women view power. (19…

This critique of the recent government consultation document on initial teacher training is concerned with both curricular and managerial aspects of proposed reforms. The model of teaching and school partnerships fails to grasp teaching complexities, undermines possible contributions of schools and higher education institutions to initial…

Evaluates Niagara County Community College's efforts to promote instructional improvement and thereby increase students' course completion rates, students' satisfaction with learning and outcomes, and teachers' professional skill levels. Reports effects on faculty motivation and other outcomes and discusses the use of interviews in the evaluation…

A needs assessment was conducted at a community college to assist in planning professional and staff development programs. Participants used the nominal group technique to develop needs lists and suggested solutions were analyzed using the performance technology model. Five intervention categories encompassing both training and nontraining options…

Includes "Part-time Teachers of Adults: Some Professional Issues" (Summers); "The Competence Approach" (Sims); and "Training the Trainers" (Daines, Graham). (SK)

Presents edited text of an interview with Else Granheim, the first woman president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). Topics discussed include personal and professional attributes that are helpful in a career in IFLA, the role of women in the association, developments in IFLA, and the role of Third…

Computers dedicated to supporting beginning teachers are like first aid kits. Both are inexpensive, simple to use, and intended to address minor problems and prevent the development of more serious complications. Both rely on self-analysis and are nonevaluative. Electronic networks offer the assurance of easily accessible, nonjudgmental resources…

An alternative approach to the traditional methods of professional growth is the development of a "reflective practice." The learning process in reflective practice begins with the examination of an individual's own actions and contrasting the actions to the ideal or intent of the practice. The process results in behavioral changes that…

Discusses the promises and pitfalls of comparing teachers' work with work performed in other occupations. Comparison reveals teaching to be a complex form of work that requires high levels of formal knowledge for successful performance. Educational reforms can professionalize teaching as they make the work more complex. (SLD)

The intensive drive to promote national standards and assessments has gathered support from unproven connections between U.S. economic success and the nature of learning in schools. Now that teachers are being challenged to produce a bottom-up sea-change in their own classrooms, Uncle Sam's presence in the back of the room may be a growing problem…

Explores problems in teacher recognition, teacher preparation, and professional development as obstacles that impede teachers from becoming the strong, educational leaders they can and should be. (HTH)

The University of Illinois' Leadership Development Program (LDP) for vocational special needs educators is a year-long, field-based program combining coursework with collaborative learning. Collaboration takes place between institutions, within cohorts and participant teams, and across teams and the LDP network. (SK)