Examines findings of Professional Development School (PDS) researchers on the potential of PDSs to change and improve the quality of education, discussing Holmes Group research, describing barriers that have limited the contribution from PDS research, and arguing for greater focus on professional development, leadership, and policy if the PDS…

Provides examples of the conceptual developmental process in four applications of psychology to education: (1) in education and training programs for school psychologists and elementary school teachers; (2) in a professional development program for career education professionals; and (3) in consultation to education professionals. The examples…

Students and teachers benefit from emphasizing literacy and professional development, not technology itself. Districts must also put learning first, build support, consider alternative delivery systems, provide adequate resources, use assessments to steer programs, shed the ineffectual, remember past lessons, heed research, and ask good questions.…

Discusses the need for comprehensive reforms in school organization, curriculum and instruction, and professional development to address the problems of large urban high schools. Describes the Talent Development High School with Career Academies model being developed to meet the needs of such schools. (SLD)

Presents an ethical dilemma posed by two important professional concepts: (1) presenting a balanced cultural diversity, and (2) not offending cultural values. Sample responses to the problem include using the NAEYC Code of Ethics, a teacher's viewpoint, and a third response. (SD)

Describes a university-school collaboration that prepares education paraprofessionals for careers as teachers of the deaf and yields insights and recommendations concerning adult learners. Discusses the contributions adult learners' experience bring to the course, the role of mentors in merging practice with theory, the adult learner's need for…

This article discusses the effectiveness of a curriculum used in training 177 participants to change their knowledge about childhood sexuality and beliefs about the adult's role in responding. On six of the seven items measuring change, post-training scores were significantly higher. Information dissemination, emerging research, and promising…

Describes efforts of the National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE), including the National Community Development Program. NSEE advocates use of all forms of experiential learning in the education system and community, including service learning. It enhances professional growth of members, disseminates information on principles of good…

This article describes the Collaborative Teacher Education Program (CTEP) at Indiana University, which uses distance education to offer special education certification coursework to elementary and secondary teachers in rural communities. Approximately 600 teachers have participated in CTEP since 1987. The article describes the program's students,…

Discusses early childhood practitioners' reluctance to continue their education. Focuses on the importance of developing a relationship with the adult learner that enables learning and clearly identifying the purpose for learning. Includes discussion of life stages, training needs, and the role of respect and pride. Offers suggestions for creating…

Examines two approaches to teacher education reform: (1) decentralization and (2) a national bureaucratic strategy to adopt uniform standards for teacher accreditation, mandate curricular requisites, and legislate policies governing teacher professional development. The paper explains that teacher education must prepare teachers to work in the…

Through informed use of such electronic tools as Web sites, electronic discussion lists, and e-mail, school library media specialists can assume responsibility for their own professional growth and can actively influence issues and institutions that are important to their professional lives. Discussion includes recognizing information needs;…

Chronicles the experiences of a rural West Virginia school district as it moved toward implementing developmentally appropriate practices in kindergarten through Grade 2. Examines the development of a plan for assessment and professional growth, and recommendations of the K-2 task force. Describes how four professional development goals were…

Describes the design and implementation of Professional Development School partnerships between a university and three urban public schools intended to prepare future teachers for tomorrow's diverse students. Explains how the partnership initiated, built, and enhanced relationships and notes common elements found among the three schools (shared…

Assessed the needs of two Quebec, Canada, elementary schools for educational technology for the classroom. Findings from 6 administrators and 21 teachers show that teachers currently use computers primarily for word processing and to prepare report cards. Teachers are interested in additional training in the use of educational technology. (SLD)