Those who expect consultants to solve problems for schools operating under the traditional model of fragmentation and teacher isolation will be disappointed. The key to using consultants effectively is developing systematic processes that engage staff in the work of a professional learning community as they consider the ideas presented to them.…

Summarizes a study focused on three major components of Texas Centers for Professional Development and Technology: visions of professional development, enactments of PDS models, and the models' effects on experienced teachers, university faculty, and preservice teachers. Due to the program's collaborative nature, study participants learned from…

Illustrates recent concerns about the fields of sociology, sociology of education, and women's studies through means of an autobiographical account of a career of a British teacher and researcher in these fields. Discusses the nature of sociology of education as a marginal and border-academic territory. (DSK)

The negative effects of grade retention should not become an argument for social promotion. Four complementary alternative strategies include enhancing professional development for teachers, employing redesigned school structures (like multiage grouping) that support more intensive learning, providing targeted supports and services when needed,…

Describes how intensive English-as-a-Second-Language training for professionals in China is conducted, explaining the importance of training Chinese professionals in English and illustrating this type of training by highlighting a new intensive course for adults at one Chinese chemical engineering corporation. Essential teaching principles for…

Survey of 2,006 graduates with at least a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) (86% female, 88% White, average age 34) found that, compared to urban workers, rural social workers were more likely to be White; had fewer master's degrees and lower incomes; were more satisfied with their BSW preparation; and showed greater community involvement.…

Suggests that the results of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) rank Western Australia as first in the world in science. Examines a statewide curriculum reform initiative that focuses on primary level science teacher leaders. Contains 27 references. (DDR)

Reports on research that investigates the effect of teachers' sociological understanding of science on their design and implementation of curriculum innovations. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

Describes a five-year project in which British Columbia secondary teachers and university educators met regularly to discuss teaching and learning. Analyzes substantive features of group deliberations, group dynamics, and participant communication. Discusses "community of inquiry" features: sharing of knowledge, support in knowledge…

Compares the results of questionnaires given to medical school faculty in 1975 and 1995. Among the educational topics highly ranked in the results of both surveys are communication skills, verbal questioning techniques, lecturing skills, group discussion skills, and skills in evaluating student performance. (DDR)

Describes an inservice training course for science teachers that is based on the view that most issues of classroom practice are issues of pedagogy, methodology, and subject knowledge. Teachers selected issues of direct concern to their daily work, performed research by methods of action research, analyzed their findings, took appropriate action,…

Reviews research that supports the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future's analysis and recommendations on elementary and secondary school reform. It describes the research and programmatic work needed to test the policy hypothesis offered by the commission's report to move the field of educational reform forward in the areas of…

Explores the political and historical origins of the new qualification for headteachers, the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Discusses several characteristics of the program: conceptual pluralism, separation of leadership from management, emphasis on process and practical application, separation of the training and…

Users Council has proven itself to be a critically important element in the Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) organizational structure. In fulfilling its combined roles, Users Council has provided a national forum for articulating member library interests to OCLC as well as a training ground for preparing individuals with library expertise…

Examines the influence of the contradictory interaction of the teacher's actual self (personality and behavior), reflected self (anticipated assessment of others), creative self (contains what the individual may reveal in the future), and empirical self (everyday self-awareness) on the dynamics of professional development. The sample contains 135…