The purpose of this study was to consider characteristics of elementary general music teachers and their views of factors influencing students to take part in secondary music programs, including their own influence and characteristics of their music programs. The following research questions concerning selected characteristics of elementary…

This study compares knowledge as measured by grade point averages and Praxis II scores between first-year special education teachers who completed one university's alternative teacher preparation program (ATTP) and those who completed the university's traditional teacher preparation program (TTPP). A total of 33 teachers, 15 from the ATTP and 18…

In light of the strong correlation between Kindergarten performance and later cognitive and achievement outcomes, this paper investigates the link between student achievement and the educational background characteristics of Kindergarten teachers. This study will utilize the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K), a…

Numerous challenges can be associated with pursuing a degree as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). The risk to perspective students and their nurse anesthesia programs may be lessened if success factors for program completion and passing of the national certification examination (NCE) could be identified. The purpose of this ex post…

What makes the difference between a good teacher and a great one? Knowing one's content is important, but having strong leadership skills can tip the scales from mediocrity to excellence. The best time to begin practicing being a teacher leader is during the preservice years. By practicing leadership skills, one can begin to view oneself not only…

The number of teacher education programs combining general and special education teacher certification is growing. In spite of this increase, little has been known about how these programs impact preservice teachers' (PSTs) developing professional identities. This article uses a case study of one newly implemented combined credential program at a…

To reduce teacher shortages, an intern credential has been introduced as a means of alternate certification in California. Individuals who meet the requirement of subject matter competency are eligible for an intern credential, allowing them to teach students in special education programs for two years while completing their coursework…

Although technology-mediated learning has its advantages, it does not come without operational tradeoffs. Thus, consideration of the effectiveness of new modes of teacher preparation in comparison to traditional, longstanding, research-proven methods is necessary. In this study, we evaluated one large southern urban university's implementation of…

Teacher education in Norway is nationally regulated and is currently undergoing extensive changes. This paper briefly outlines the various education routes for teachers and some of the ongoing work to improve teacher education, but concentrates mainly on the reform that has come the farthest: initial teacher education for grades 1-7 and grades…

On November 2, 1996, the Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium (ISLLC), a program of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), adopted a set of Standards for School Leaders (CCSSO, 1996). By 2005, 41 states had adopted or adapted these Standards (Sanders & Simpson, 2005). However, after almost a decade of experience with…

This study investigated the effects of item position on the stability of item parameters for items used on a large-scale, national certification examination and the resulting impact on examinee performance. Participants in this study included individuals from a large, chain restaurant who completed a nationally accredited food safety examination.…

This guide is intended to lead candidates through the National Board Certification process and help them address some of the challenges that past candidates have identified. This guide is divided into seven sections: (1) Am I Ready? contains information on those things candidates need to know and do before they begin putting together their…

This report contains case studies of international recruiters who help school districts in the United States acquire work visas and hire noncitizens. Recruiters sometimes use fees charged to workers to pay for U.S. school officials' overseas trips, where they stay in luxury hotels and handpick teachers at job fairs. Not surprisingly, some school…

The graduate of the Painter and Decorator apprenticeship program is a certified journeyperson who will be able to: (1) apply coatings by brush, roller and spray to surfaces of wood, metal, brick, concrete, plaster, stucco and stone for decorative and protective purposes. This occurs in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial…

"Multiple authorizers" refers to situations where more than one entity is able to authorize charter schools in any given community. The presence of multiple authorizers can strengthen a state's charter school sector because a diversity of authorizers can promote professional practices among authorizers and provide checks and balances in charter…