Examines distance education technology as a tool for teacher preparation and presents attitudinal data collected from elementary science teachers who used audio and video communication to complete distance education classes. Results suggest that teachers remained supportive toward the technology one year after completing the course. (JMV)

One Colorado school district implemented a teacher induction seminar throughout the school year to promote professional development and facilitate the transition of new teachers into the district. The seminar encouraged questions, sharing, and mutual support. The article describes the structure of the seminar and the evaluation results. (SM)

A national children's gardening symposium was held August 12-14, 1993, to enable educators of grades K through 8 to begin or improve gardening programs for children. Discusses some of the conference results and describes 12 model gardens for both recreational and educational purposes at school, backyard, and community sites. (LZ)

During 2 2-week institutes, 154 teachers of American Indian elementary school children received training emphasizing integration of science and American Indian culture, and student-centered hands-on science instructional strategies. Pre- and posttraining assessments showed significant positive changes in teacher attitudes toward these educational…

Organizations, foundations, and individuals are concentrating their energies on making teaching a true profession. They are seeking changes in the way teachers are prepared, how they are evaluated and certified, their continuing professional development, and their compensation and working conditions. (Author/IAH)

A University of Georgia program developed by several departments and programs offers a fieldwork program in archaeology and American Indian history and culture to elementary and secondary school teachers. Teachers developed their own instructional materials for home classroom use. Workshops incorporated principles of adult and experiential…

The influx of children prenatally exposed to drugs represents a heightened challenge to early childhood education programs. Efforts are needed for establishing developmentally appropriate practices, administrative supports, access to special education services, and personnel preparation programs. Guidelines and suggestions relating to these…

A project to improve the writing skills of children (grades 4-10) who are deaf included instruction for teachers in the process approach to teaching writing and a data collection and analysis phase to assess short-term effects on students' writing. Pretest-posttest results showed dramatic improvement in students' writing, particularly in…

A survey was administered to 76 special education teachers to determine reasons for their leaving the special education classroom. Significant factors in leaving special education were excessive paperwork, pupil load, inadequate resources, and lack of recognition and support. (Author/JDD)

Examines common assumptions about the nature of teaching and professional learning that influence the design of teacher education courses. These assumptions are contrasted with current empirical research about teacher knowledge. A role for the emerging theory in the analysis, evaluation, and development of professional training courses is…

Offers an annotated bibliography of ERIC documents and journal articles on writing across the curriculum, including those providing background information, describing different types of programs, offering guidance on generating writing assignments, and promoting faculty participation. (DMM)

Study examined differences between self-contained and team teaching approaches when two groups of elementary teachers implemented a physical education curriculum during an inservice. Researchers collected lesson completion forms, specialists' reports, class observations, and teacher surveys. Results indicated those using self-contained approaches…

This study examined teacher-student interactions in 18 middle school social studies and science classes (which included mainstreamed students with disabilities) whose teachers received a 6-session inservice emphasizing teacher effectiveness variables. Differential effects were found for teacher and student type. (Author/DB)

Suggests strategies center directors can use to improve teachers' verbal interactions with children. Directors can help teachers (1) understand child growth and development; (2) understand that what they say matters; (3) hear themselves talking to children; and (4) develop their observation skills. Directors can also share good models with…

Discusses the use of life stories as a strategy for validating student life experiences, developing tolerance for and appreciation of other cultures and improving student attitudes about themselves and their peers. Describes a literature-based, college-level course for inservice teachers in which life stories were the dominant theme. (CFR)