When compared to its counterparts in Europe and the United States, teacher education in Japan can be distinguished by its special characteristics in three areas: administration, structure and curriculum, and students. Preservice and inservice education in Japan are discussed with regard to these areas. (IAH)

Describes a teacher education project where preservice and inservice teachers were trained in the use of hands-on science conducted in cooperative-learning groups. The preservice teachers then conducted sessions with the inservice teacher's students to enhance the learning of the cooperating teacher. (PR)

Discusses a summer program conducted to retrain North Wales French teachers. It is suggested that French teaching in North Wales will be enriched by the enthusiasm of the teachers who took this course. (three references) (CK)

Addresses concern that students in North America and Europe do not know place name geography. Discusses the use of mnemonic learning in geography and maintains that it is a positive teaching aid. Illustrates the use of mnemonics in instruction and recommends mnemonics workshops at geography education conferences. (CFR)

Reports the results of a summer institute for secondary science teachers involved in teaching evolutionary biology. Discusses changes in teacher conceptual understanding, anxiety, the adoption of peer discussion on evolution within their instruction, and the influence of peer or mentor teachers on the decision to include peer discussion. (LZ)

Argues that action research can evaluate the effectiveness of multicultural education in physical education teacher education. Following a review of theories used to explain the differential achievement levels of diverse students and a description of contemporary conceptualizations of multicultural education, this paper describes and advocates an…

Reports findings from the 1987 National Cancer Institute North Carolina School Health and Tobacco Education Project, which assessed schools' curriculum awareness, adoption, implementation, and institutionalization, focusing on 10 lessons learned after 5 years of following participating school districts. The lessons are categorized into the areas…

This article describes implementation of a project which facilitated the collaboration of 26 elementary general education teachers and 5 resource teachers by providing time during the school day for structured interaction and inservice training in a collaborative problem-solving process. Pretesting and posttesting with the Resource Teacher-General…

Reflects the experience of teachers who attended a course on managing change. They used their new knowledge to introduce change in their own teaching or their own departments. Successful change implementation requires agreement on the change target(s), starting with a small, manageable target, and monitoring of the resulting change. (one…

This response to an article by Jeanne Schumm and Sharon Vaughn on professional development programs to help teachers accommodate students with disabilities in the regular classroom considers the process of connecting personal knowledge to the external knowledge base gained through theoretical, empirical, or practical information sources. (SW)

Discusses the importance of sound induction programs for newly qualified teachers and reports on a survey of 61 primary and 36 secondary schools in Wales concerning their policies governing new teachers. The survey found that only 37% of the primary schools claimed to have an induction policy, compared with 83% of the secondary schools. (MDM)

Teaching pedagogy involves more than applying techniques of curriculum and instructional development in the classroom. Metaphors of teaching are used to explore hidden assumptions about teaching, learning, knowledge, production, and culture embedded in traditional teaching paradigms. The role and function of teachers, given the differing…

Describes the approach to technical assistance offered by one of the groups that has contributed to the ongoing change process in the District of Columbia Schools. Discusses the normal path of outside technical assistance and examines some of the key differences that make the collaboration between Northeast Foundation for Children and the District…

Asserts that the Developmental Economic Education Program (DEEP) is a model for curriculum change. Describes the process and content of the DEEP teacher education and curriculum development program. Presents a case study of a DEEP project involving one Indiana school district. (CFR)

A social intervention for 4- and 5-year olds exhibiting behavior problems is described. The multiyear social skills program includes direct instruction of social skills, incidental teaching, and reinforcement procedures. Training of school staff and program implementation are highlighted. Observable improvements in peer interactions resulted from…