A review of educational literature indicates that the term "student teaching" mistakenly has been applied to all professional laboratory experiences for preservice teachers. As a result, these activities have concentrated on the development of practical teaching skills whereas clinical laboratory experiences should encourage inquiry and…

This article explores the idea of teacher-training institutions providing a warranty to school districts for each new teacher graduated from the institution and hired by the school district. Implications of such a program, including performance criteria to be established for teachers and ways to remedy a graduate's inadequate performance, are…

Analyzes current teacher education practices, and groups them under the labels of "preparation approach,""imitation approach," and "clinical approach." Describes a "reflective approach" of teacher preparation as being consistent with John Dewey's views toward education and presents quotations taken directly…

Japan's Teacher Certification Law and subsequent Ministry of Education regulations required more specific content for teacher training courses. Outlines three goals for an educational methodology and technology course and proposes its curricular framework: practical instructional competences, characteristics of instructional media, management and…

This article describes the Council for Exceptional Children's professional standards for special education teachers, including the content standards and the knowledge and skill standards. Information is provided on how to use the standards to structure a professional development plan, maintain expertise and evaluate competency. Self-evaluation…

Describes an inservice teacher course incorporating 34 competencies identified as important for behavior disorder teachers in rural West Virginia, and featuring 15 seminars tailored to participants' needs, videotaped practicum experience, and use of portable computers to record and analyze student behaviors. Contains 28 references. (SV)

Discusses teachers' responses to a survey on teacher competency testing. Describes Georgia's competency test and its results. Investigates the use of classroom performance as a test factor. Presents Georgia's test development process. (MLV)

A Northern Kentucky University professor questions the relevance and effectiveness of a required fundamentals of secondary education methods course, and discusses his counteroffensive, which combines lecture, field experience, and post-experience reflection on methods to meet state certification standards. (CB)

This article discusses the British move towards a skills-based model in special education teacher education. Focusing on the special case of students with autism, the article offers a perspective which stresses the importance of theory, practice, specialized knowledge, and reflective teaching. (DB)

Final year preservice teachers' perceptions of their mentoring in primary science teaching were gathered through surveys from three separate studies. The three studies (n = 59, n = 331, n = 60) provided an indication of the degree of mentoring preservice teachers perceived they received with mentoring practices linked to "Pedagogical Knowledge."…

In this article, the author pays tribute to Cecilia Braslavsky by reviewing writings, interviews, and articles authored exclusively by her. Cecilia was a source of inexhaustible inspiration, not only because of her ideas and writings, but because of the force of her convictions and passion with which she tackled the work of researching, teaching,…

Perceptions vary between researchers and the British government as to the adequacy of initial teacher education in England and Wales. Based on the data from the Modes of Teacher Education (MOTE) project the researchers find a higher level of satisfaction from teachers than that claimed by the government. The MOTE project studied the origins,…

The Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation was established in 1992 to develop a new competency-based teacher preparation and professional development system. The commission's report begins with the Vision Statement and responsibilities of the new system, followed by "A New Vision: Educators as the Key to Educational Excellence" by…

One of nine competency-based training modules for personnel preparation in early childhood special education, this guide focuses on the facilitation of transition services for young children. All modules are adaptable for use with a general audience, direct service personnel, or administrators and are based on the following principles:…

This paper reports on a follow-up survey of alumni (N=104) who had pursued degrees through the Education Department at Castleton State College (VT). The questionnaire was concerned with alumni perceptions regarding the attainment of outcome-based competencies. The quantitative data reported respondents' knowledge about subject matter and the…