Reports on the methods and outcomes of a teacher development project that exposed teachers to inquiry as it is practiced in the discipline of ecology. Explores factors that are potentially effective on teachers' professional development experiences in ecological inquiry. Examines the variations of teachers, starting points, grade levels, and…

Describes the issues and problems encountered in the development of a teaching, research, and professional development collaboration between faculty in a large research university and K-12 teachers focusing on the Transforming Education through the Arts Challenge that is a privately funded project for arts education reform. (CMK)

A 2-year demonstration project funded by the Carnegie Corporation investigated combined effects of interventions involving teachers, students, and parents in a small northeastern district with an increasingly diverse population. Teachers examined racial identities and attitudes toward other groups, and designed effective antiracist curricula…

Reports case studies of 10 partnerships in middle school level professional development schools that either moved apart or reconfigured their relationships over time. Written materials from, interviews with, and observations of partners indicated that though most succeeded, they needed better communication between partners to maximize their…

Projects a "typical" future teacher's career path, based on current teacher-education developments. She will be a highly motivated student, major in an academic subject, enter a highly selective teacher-education program, pursue challenging coursework, get adequate field experience, enter a professional-development-school internship, and develop…

Describes the process of designing a continuing education workshop on chemical information instruction. Discusses tailoring material to the audience and setting; adapting instruction to the available technology, with the Web as a presentation tool; and lessons learned about effectively teaching chemical information. (AEF)

Discusses the concept of a Virtual Company--a collaborative, distributed learning environment built on the notions of competence-based, constructivist, open learning, and distance education. It features an authentic, role-playing game that is strongly modeled upon the functional structures of real-life companies. Outlines the set-up of a Virtual…

Finds that K-12 literacy professionals: (1) read journal articles and books more often than research journals or electronic sources; (2) believe in collaborative experiences among teachers; (3) are interested in becoming teacher researchers; (4) feel book clubs are valuable; (5) do not want portfolio assessment to replace other forms; and (6) feel…

Teachers' perceptions of support provided for implementation of the New American Schools models in the Memphis City (Tennessee) school district are examined in relation to the effectiveness of these models. Via questionnaires and focus group interviews, teachers indicated professional development, teacher collaboration, and resources to be…

Describes the various tools used to promote reflection that have been introduced to prospective teachers. Those tools include portfolios, journals, cases, learning maps, stories retold, metaphors, and proverbs. Contains 58 references. (DDR)

Describes the professional development framework utilized in the Integrating Laboratory Instruction and Assessment (INLAB) project directed at changing teacher practice. The framework is based upon the establishment of an intellectual community of learners. (DDR)

Explores personal and institutional factors associated with professional status, job satisfaction, career patterns, and professional preparation of law-school placement officers (N=127). Compares law school graduates with non-graduates; discusses career implications arising from professional placement. (EMK)

Argues that a social constructivist perspective can inform the design of professional development programs for teachers, using as an example a South African training program in technology use for science teachers. The report includes the comments of teachers in the program. (MSE)

States that producing better-trained science and mathematics teachers is a complex issue that requires creative approaches. Asserts that partnerships among institutions and organizations, like the Oklahoma Teacher Education Collaborative (O-TEC), are necessary to solve this problem. Describes O-TEC's vision, design and activities, current status,…

The Annenberg Institute for School Reform recently invited three distinguished educators (a superintendent, principal, and teacher leader) to Providence, Rhode Island, to reflect on the relationship between leadership and student achievement. Schools must tap into educators' training backgrounds; conversations at all levels must stress increasing…