Efforts to professionalize teaching may increase teachers' commitment, but reforms may not be entirely successful without attention paid to their pedagogical content knowledge. One hypothetical district adopted a career enhancement plan offering curriculum-specialist and teacher-leader opportunities and encouraged teacher collaboration. The…

In the American Federation of Teachers' Thinking Mathematics collaboration, teachers have become equal partners with researchers to create staff development aimed at mathematics instruction. Researchers and 5 visiting practitioners have cooperated to create mathematics foundations materials conceptualized in 10 guiding principles for mathematics…

Summarizes the themes and discussions of the first conference of the American Library Association's Black Caucus. Issues addressed include responsibility to the African-American cultural heritage, education, financial aspects of librarianship, children's and young adult librarianship, and participation in the political process. (EA)

Analyzes school board members' on-the-job training and development from board members' and superintendents' perspectives. Most board members viewed their own learning development within a broader framework than did most superintendents; the latter mistakenly saw themselves as central to board learning. Implications for three policy areas (training…

Achieving educational effectiveness is an incremental, sequential, improvement process. Outlines an approach, based on "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey, that emphasizes individual responsibility for change and promoting effectiveness. (MLF)

A review of studies of mentoring for new college faculty suggests practical guidelines for maximizing the mentoring experience. Recommendations include "cataloging" (of past, current, and planned activities); group mentoring; and application of a theory stressing involvement, regimen, solving the right problem, and social networking. (DB)

Three major professional associations for research administrators (National Conference on the Administration of Research, National Council of University Research Administrators, and Society of Research Administrators) are described and compared in terms of their objectives, group membership, and activities. The three are seen to serve different…

The two major reports of the Holmes Group--"Tomorrow's Teachers" and "Tomorrow's Schools"--contain sharply contrasting rhetorics: the rhetoric of democratic values and scientistic rhetoric. Critical analysis of the reports suggests that the contrast highlights the contradictory tendencies embedded in the reform movement. (IAH)

Review of literature on four induction models (mentoring, fifth-year programs, alternative certification, and professional development) and case studies of beginning vocational teachers suggest that mentoring requires substantial commitment in time and resources; induction experiences are unique, so induction assistance programs need to be general…

A mentoring program provides a nonthreatening environment in which pharmacy students, teachers, and other professionals can risk exploring application of textbook concepts while receiving guidance and encouragement. Such relationships stimulate active learning for mentor and protege. Mentoring relationships cannot be forced, but an environment for…

To gain appreciation for each others' perspectives, a Mississippi language arts consultant and a third-grade teacher from Iowa traded jobs for a year. As a consultant, the teacher found that classroom teachers were more interested in whole-language instruction practicalities than in theory. As a teacher, the consultant learned that classroom…

This paper on mentoring the individual dental student and effective advising is based on survey findings from dental students and other graduate science students at the University of Maryland and the University of California (San Francisco). Discussions cover what students expect from the faculty advisor, what faculty expect from the students, and…

This paper discusses the role of mentors and the mentoring process during transition between graduate school or specialty training and the first faculty position, including the potential benefits and risks of the process. Two sets of suggestions are presented in evaluating and participating in a mentoring relationship. (GLR)

Assesses the concerns raised by a group of middle-level teachers when developing and implementing interdisciplinary curriculum, teaming, and teaching. Participants progressed through various stages, including information, personal, management, and collaboration. Concerns at each level had to be resolved before teachers could reach the final…

Describes school restructuring themes that may be promoted through staff development, including developing a purpose and shared vision, challenging traditional norms of schooling, creating a collaborative school culture, establishing new roles in school governance, and encouraging reflective practice and critical inquiry. Addresses the role of…