Relationships were examined between student achievement (output), teachers' length of tenure, level of fiscal resources, and level of "disadvantagedness" of students. Teachers' length of tenure was found to be a positive and direct predictor of the output, while relationships between student achievement and the other predictors varied.…

Summarizes a study conducted on a group of bibliographic instruction librarians from academic libraries in Pennsylvania to determine their backgrounds, their perceptions regarding the adequacy of their training for bibliographic instruction, and their needs for additional training. Data are summarized in 12 tables and a 9-item reference list is…

A music teacher talks about the hard lessons he learned in his first year of teaching in a small, rural, elementary and secondary school. Student discipline problems, poor class attendance, exhaustion, and problems with parents reduced his initial idealism and optimism. (RM)

Data on student achievement and background and teacher training, experience, and hiring date, gathered from 400 urban midwestern elementary students and teachers, confirmed that differences in the quality of teachers hired during different time periods (the "vintage" effect) strongly affect the relationship between teaching experience…

The author argues that, in many ways, the student teaching experience may not adequately prepare novice music teachers for their first professional assignments. He suggests changes in student teacher placement procedures, advocates formal assistance for first-year teachers, and lists seven tips for beginning teachers. (SJL)

First grade teacher Susie Jablinske talks about her teaching experience in this interview. The conversation covers her background, the role of teacher militancy on educational quality, teaching conditions in her school, and her teaching methods. (AM)

A teacher's understanding of any teaching behavior or skill must be tested in the context of actual teaching. However, practice that is unenlightened by understanding and by the mastery of concepts about teaching behaviors and skills is of uncertain value in teacher training. (JN)

Compares full- and part-time community college faculty members with respect to the following indicators of teaching effectiveness: teaching experience, continuity of employment, degree attainment, selection of course materials, reading requirements for students, use of instructional media and support services, grading practices, availability to…

Three historical phases of research and development on microteaching and the technical skills of teaching are reviewed. Suggestions for specific research topics are discussed, including research on the role of supervisor and on the development of learner skills. (Author/JN)

A pilot program for training cooperating teachers and bettering communication among all participants in the student teaching program is described. (JMF)

English graduate students at Michigan State University teach composition at Michigan Technological University as participants in the Graduate Intern Program, a cooperative effort between the two schools. Benefits of the program include financial support and teaching experience for the students and increased credit-hour generation for Michigan…

The author questions the value of practice teaching, asserting that student teachers occupy a marginal position within the school, having neither the authority nor the knowledge of group rituals needed to legitimatize them in that community. Experiencing such marginality can be stressful and deflating to the self-concept. (SJL)

An innovative program for student teachers form Indiana University/South Bend involves a full semester of one-half day teaching schedules coupled with in-school seminars on the principles of secondary education. (MB)

A survey conducted by the University of Arkansas at Fayettesville reveals that preprofessional experiences should be included in the first education course so that students might determine if career expectations match their career aspirations. (MM)

The role of the cooperating teacher in facilitating the student teacher's learning is made very explicit. Is there now a case to be made for the role of the college supervisor? (Editor)