This report summarizes the activities and findings of Horizon Research, Inc. (HRI) in its external evaluation of Rural Physics Teacher Resource Agents (PTRA) project. The report details HRI's work and findings since June 2002. The project is on schedule for going to scale with the rural centers model, establishing four centers in Year One and…

This report summarizes the activities and findings of Horizon Research, Inc. (HRI) in its external evaluation of the American Association of Physic Teachers (APPT's) Rural Physics Teacher Resource Agents (PTRA) project. The report details HRI's work and findings since June 2004. The report is divided into five main sections. The first provides an…

The 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to develop state improvement plans (SIPs) that include provisions supporting the professional development of all persons who work with disabled children. The National Association of State Directors of Special Education is establishing a professional…

Describes how the Physics Department at the State University of New York at Stonybrook has attempted to provide a new model for working with elementary schools and assisting them in introducing science materials. (Author/TS)

Briefly describes NSF-funded weekend courses at Western Illinois University. Includes a list of 16 courses with topic and enrollment data and a list of topics in which teachers felt a need for more preparation. (SK)

Describes free-standing post-degree training programs in marital and family therapy and focuses on the Marriage Council of Philadelphia and the Blanton Peale Graduate Institute. Such programs have continuing possibilities for flexibility and innovation in the training field. The free-standing institute is the almost complete integration of…

Ways in which colleges and high schools can form partnerships and make the most of the benefits for both partners are discussed. The Coalition of Essential Schools, a school/college collaboration, is described. A collaboration at Brooklyn's Adelphi Academy is discussed. (MLW)

Describes an institute held at Southwest Texas State University on the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution for social studies teachers to enhance their professional preparation. Notes major activities and teaching strategies of the program. Provides quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the effectiveness of the institute and a schedule of…

Describes the program Teach the Teachers that has been developed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in an effort to acquaint teachers with the built environment through hands on experiences. Gives examples of teacher generated classroom activities that are designed to enhance students' appreciation of good design. (KO)

Discusses several research-based premises underlying meaningful instruction for gifted and regular students. Lessons should be relevant and student centered, and students should be actively involved in their own learning and aware of attainable standards that guarantee high-quality work. This article describes an interdisciplinary Iowa summer…

Explores the educational quality of the Postgraduate Awards Scheme in the Faculty of Strathclyde University (Scotland) that facilitates programs of continuous professional development through a flexible structure of credit accumulation leading to a postgraduate certificate, a diploma, and ultimately, a master's degree. (AEF)

Descriptions are offered of in-house leadership development programs for faculty and staff at Arizona State University, Kennesaw State College (Georgia), Seattle Community Colleges (Washington), the University of Kentucky, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Western Kentucky University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (MSE)

The Postgraduate Institute on Comprehensive Health Education improved inservice training for health teachers, bringing them together with health researchers and expanding the coverage of health education topics and health skills. Pre- and posttest data indicated that participants increased the number of health topics and health skills taught in…

Reviews the changing educational landscape and the major competing providers of post-secondary education: public colleges and universities; private, non-profit colleges and universities; proprietary for-profit colleges and universities; and corporate training organizations. Suggests that community colleges become more entrepreneurial. (JDI)

Describes the "Teaching with Technology" program, administered by Pennsylvania's Duquesne University to provide inservice training for elementary and secondary teachers. Indicates that the program provides experience with a state-of-the-art multimedia classroom, an introduction to computer presentation software, and a hands-on tour of…