The influence of school experiences on student self-esteem was explored in a longitudinal study of 322 sixth and seventh graders. School experiences do affect self-esteem, although the impact varied from year to year and discipline to discipline. Overall climate and teacher feedback influence academic and global self-esteem. (SLD)

Through maximum likelihood logistic regression analysis, assesses characteristics distinguishing teachers who return to the classroom after career interruptions from those who do not. Among 3,060 teachers, those most likely to return have fewer opportunities for better-paying employment, with more experience and master's degrees, and interrupted…

Surveys students majoring in education in the United States and Sri Lanka to explore reminiscences of memorable teachers. Categorizes memories according to teachers' personal and professional characteristics, methods, classroom environments, extra efforts, and influences. Includes students' statements and appends the study's questionnaire. Notes…

Explores the views and perspectives of seven African-American urban elementary and secondary school teachers on school restructuring efforts underway in their schools. Teachers exhibit patterns of involvement that characterize them as cynical dissenters, coincidental cooperators, or committed advocates. Experienced teachers are the most skeptical…

Describes a followup study to previous research into midcareer educators' tendencies to label older colleagues as resisters to Oregon schools' restructuring efforts. Results show that such attitudes stigmatize individuals and inhibit their responses in ways that hamper the change process. More respect for lifelong professional learning is needed.…

Examined changes in teachers' beliefs and practices after using video to enhance self-evaluation and guided reflection within a field-based course. Data from a teaching-belief survey, videotapes of teaching episodes, videotapes of post-teaching episodes, and a videotaped portfolio presentation indicated that participants came to view teaching as a…

A review of research on second-language writing instruction looks at four research approaches: the language and culture students bring with them to the classroom; contexts in which teaching/learning take place; the shape of the language curriculum; and academic writing and English for academic purposes. Attention is given to English as a Second…

Reports results of a study conducted with learners of Chinese who were involved in a late immersion program in a graduate school of education in Australia. The aim of the project was to explore the depths of learners' experiences of learning Chinese in an immersion setting. (Author/JL)

A year-long third-year medical school course at the University of California, Los Angeles, integrates underrepresented topics into the clinical curriculum. One day every two weeks, students visit community-based clinical sites and engage in small-group sessions, following and managing simulated patients during the year and examining the…

This last in a series of articles on at-risk students highlights Professional Development Schools, restructuring teacher training programs, and integrating modern technology. Topics discussed include university-school collaboration that integrates theory and practice using fieldwork; telecommunication networks; distance learning labs; and…

Reports results of the National Longitudinal Transition Study of Special Education Students data in the areas of employment success, dropout rates, and progression to higher education. Findings show that students with disabilities were more likely to be poor, thus affecting their advancement to higher education and eventual employment success.…

A midwestern university provides cross-cultural student teaching experiences in a southwestern city with a large Mexican-American population. Features include two classroom placements, a course in multicultural education, and bicultural mentors. Data from 39 participants identified successful themes and practices in three categories: enabling…

Describes and assesses the Dartmouth Medical School (New Hampshire) community preceptor computer network, using electronic mail and local area network resources to improve communication of curriculum to rural teaching sites, enhance the quality of community-based teaching experiences, support community-based preceptors in teaching, and help…

First-year undergraduate science students experienced a writing program as an important part of their assessment in a biology subject. The writing program was designed to help them develop both their scientific understanding as well as their written scientific expression. Open-ended questionnaires investigating the quality of the experience of…

ACE is an independent national charity, whose trained advisers have been providing parents with support and legal advice for over 45 years. Parents ring the ACE advice line when they have a problem with their children's education. They call in with a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from what to do when their child has been excluded to how to…