West Virginia University provides on-the-job practicum experience to rural special education teachers who are pursuing certification while working on "out-of-field" permits. An important aspect of the competency-based practicum experience is evaluative feedback. Two methods of evaluative feedback were used with 22 practicum students who…

Reform proposals for mathematics teaching and learning have clear implications for significant change in curriculum and in traditional teacher roles. One contribution to the reform effort was the SummerMath for Teachers program, an inservice program committed to helping teachers develop constructivist orientations to teaching and learning by…

Recognizing the importance of early experience to job satisfaction and commitment, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of support from administration on the induction and retention of 457 beginning public school, special education teachers. Secondary analysis techniques were applied to information derived from the 1987-88 cross…

This resource book examines the need for educators in Canada to recognize the importance of implementing personal and global future studies, problem solving, and creative processes within the school curriculum and to provide a theoretical base of ideas and procedures for practicums application in the classroom. The book includes samples of student…

Four major elements were critical in the creation of the Chula Vista Professional Development School (CVPDS), a joint venture of Chula Vista City Schools (California) and San Diego State University: strong central figures in the university and public schools; powerful, well presented ideas; inclusion of key university and public school figures…

This guide suggests how to deliver a 33-hour literacy tutor/instructor training and certification program. Each of the 11 3-hour sessions is outlined and resource and audiovisual materials are listed. The guide is designed so that each facilitator can adapt the training program to fit local needs by developing activities and collecting samples…

These guidelines and proposed program for Texas children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were developed by a legislatively mandated multidisciplinary committee. An executive summary notes that 2 to 5 percent of elementary school children meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and recommends strategies including: instruction…

The Norwood-University of Southern California Professional Practice School (PPS) project began in 1990-1991. Norwood is an inner-city elementary school in Los Angeles with a student population that is 99 percent Hispanic. Initial efforts to achieve a major project goal--to promote professionalization of teachers--focused on building collegial…

This paper describes a study by Project ACCESS (Addressing Computer Concerns of Educators of Special Students) in Michigan to ascertain the existing level of knowledge and use of technology in special education. Analysis of questionnaires returned by 346 directors or supervisors of special education indicated the following findings: the majority…

This practicum involved the design and implementation of inservice training sessions for educators, to reduce the incidence of limited English proficient (LEP) pupils being inappropriately referred for possible special education placement. The inservice sessions covered the difference between a linguistic diversity and a handicap, prereferral…

Consistent with education reform efforts, the achievement of systemic change in American education demands that school improvement efforts be fused with professional development opportunities that lead to self-renewal for teachers. This report emanates from a 5-day conference of the Christa McAuliffe Institute for Educational Pioneering (CMI), an…

This paper describes a multidimensional staff development program implemented by the Ames (Iowa) Community Schools, involving 11 schools, 350 teachers, and 5,000 students. Three governance options in staff development were established: the Individual Growth Fund which supported teachers in defraying the costs of individually selected staff…

These materials address the use of dialogue journal writing in teaching speakers of English as a Second Language. Included is a handbook for teachers that provides background information and specific suggestions for classroom use, and an instructional packet for teachers and workshop leaders. The handbook contains chapters on: what constitutes a…

To identify the instructional support needs of students with psychological disabilities, the California Community Colleges established four model site projects at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), Kings River College, College of San Mateo, and San Diego City College. At SBCC, the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) office coordinated…

The Practitioner Center, an innovation which provides a vehicle for a transactional approach to teacher growth and professional development, incorporates the concept of peer leadership with "teachers teaching teachers" and teachers acting as coaches. The organizers of the practitioner center decided on a 5-part format which is covered in…