Reports on a survey that investigated inservice teacher education (K-12). Results indicate that professional development in environmental education is dominated by activity-based curricula, is primarily science-oriented rather than interdisciplinary, and is concerned more with environmental content than educational context. Argues that the…

Why some teachers who were evaluated as marginal or incompetent were able to change teaching behaviors in order to be recognized in later evaluations as competent or even superior was studied with 14 high school teachers. Peer collaboration and self-awareness were most often cited by these teachers as reasons for change. (SLD)

Describes the first year of the Alternative Teacher Education (ATE) Initiative as seen by its participants. The participants focus on their roles and relationships, as well as the type of partnership and collaboration that emerged from this project. Concluding comments analyze these perceptions and what the analysis says about the ATE program. (GR)

Examines the challenges facing new assistant professors in general and language program directors (LPDs) in particular, offering the perspective of two individuals who made the leap from graduate student to LPD, outlining the most significant and universal issues facing new LPDs, and providing insight into balancing the demands of the position…

Describes one Japanese university's program to train English-as-a-Second-Language teachers in content-based language instruction methodology. Drawing on four years' experience, authors make a number of suggestions for addressing challenges of implementing a content-based approach in higher education. (Author/MSE)

Surveyed 50 experienced child care center directors about what training experiences most influenced their skill development. Found that directors often had to learn on the job; life experience strongly shapes performance; training opportunities were often outside the field; management training helps acting directors most; conferences are most…

Describes how a culture of experimentation allowed a middle school to make significant changes in delivering instruction and programs, specifically, how the school became involved with school reform organizations and developed ongoing outdoor educational experiences for students. Traces how the culture developed to include teacher impetus,…

A small instructional group operating on the theories of group dynamics and cooperative learning can be used to effectively teach subjects in adult training programs. Describes useful techniques for developing a supportive and productive climate for adult training, focusing on group organization, group leadership, group characteristics, and…

Examines the influence of standards-based teaching practices on the achievement of urban, African-American, middle school science students. Indicates that teachers who frequently used standards-based teaching practices positively influenced students' achievement and attitudes. Supports the efficacy of high-quality professional development to…

Explores the efficacy of promoting a beginning chemistry teacher's curriculum development and teaching practices through the use of computers. Observes and analyzes the teacher's instructional practices both before and after the web site treatment which includes pictorial analogies, historical cases of science, and discrepant events. Reports…

"Turning Points 2000" places more emphasis than the original volume on teaching and learning and the principal's role in focusing reform efforts on improving curriculum, assessment, and instruction. Teachers and administrators must strive to create a developmentally appropriate and intellectually challenging instructional program. (MLH)

When the Battle River Regional School Division (Alberta) realized that multiple staff development priorities were fragmenting school and district focus on increasing student achievement, it formed a committee of regional, district, and school stakeholders that developed six staff development priorities, all promoting student achievement, and…

Addresses issues surrounding the process of information and communications technology training (ICT), and the application of training outcomes in the workplace. Provides an overview of content and design features of the multimedia resource "Ensuring Effectiveness of ICT Training" and reports on its evaluation. Discusses design issues, training…

Examines the experiences of a group of urban, bilingual teacher-researchers. Considers how teacher research raised teachers' awareness about political dimensions of their own practices and how these teachers took steps to improve their practices and school settings. Proposes that teacher research empowers teachers to think and act like…

Compared Professional Development School (PDS) and traditional preservice teachers regarding development of a sense of teacher identity. Surveys given periodically during the programs indicated that PDS students' concern about educational system problems increased, while traditional students' concern decreased. PDS experiences may foster beliefs…