The power of an adult developmental perspective for educators is discussed and its relevance to teacher evaluation explored. The conversation among four Florida school districts about teacher evaluation, professional development, and school improvement shows their interest in methods to allow adults to participate in shaping their own professional…

Contends that most teachers do not effectively identify and correct student misconceptions and mislearning. Reviews models to identify student mislearning and ways to help students correct the mislearning. Describes a staff development program in which mentor teachers received training using these instructional strategies. (CFR)

To maintain teacher quality, the use of assessment mechanisms and instruments are necessary. Suggests a general teacher evaluation framework ranging from preservice teacher education through professional development and peer-controlled certification. Argues that valid, fair, and reliable methods of teacher evaluation require adequate financial…

Describes the teacher education workshops and instructional materials available from the National Archives of the United States. Contends that using primary sources will help students see history as historians did. Concludes that the National Archives seeks more collaborative activities with history teachers. (CFR)

Examined how professional-development schools influenced teacher educators' beliefs about teaching, teacher education, and school renewal. Data from observations, journals, and interviews indicated that participants encountered tensions that challenged their beliefs. The tensions resulted from moving their practice from the university into…

A qualitative inquiry describes the sociocultural aspects of an urban elementary school serving as the context for a reading/language arts early field experience and examines how the sociocultural factors of this school contribute to the professional development of the preservice teachers who work there and their three supervising teachers. (SLD)

As part of a researcher-teacher professional development group, seven general education elementary teachers in inclusive settings containing students with learning disabilities were taught four reading and writing instructional methods, one for each nine-week grading block. Sustained implementation during the school year was maintained by four of…

Explores a structured approach to support student teachers in the use of reflective self-evaluation as part of ongoing professional development. Reviews the Scottish context of initial teacher education, and describes elements of the approach: classroom climate, pairing of student teachers to encourage peer discussion, and…

The experiences of two teachers describe how BreadNet, an online professional-development and educational conference, enables teachers with similar interests to work together and maintain a sense of community. BreadNet allowed their rural schools to participate in projects with distant schools, leading to improvements in the quantity and quality…

Presents and describes a pedagogical framework that supports children's development of conceptual understanding of mathematics. Advancing Children's Thinking (ACT) is synthesized from an in-depth analysis of observed and reported data from one skillful first-grade teacher's use of the "Everyday Mathematics" curriculum. Indicates that…

Surveys the Getty Center for Education in the Arts' ArtsEdNet, as it was introduced in late 1995 and early 1996, for what was successful about it and for what it lacked. Discusses uses of the Web site for professional development and instruction. Reviews major changes to ArtsEdNet as of February 1997. (DSK)

Directors (N=203) of mental-health agencies responded to a survey designed to examine their level of acceptance and satisfaction with licensed professional counselors (LPC) in Ohio. Responses suggest a preference for hiring social workers over counselors; starting salaries were similar for both groups with comparable educational levels.…

A survey of 230 secondary school principals found that they viewed their leadership skills for guiding collaborative-based programs to be within the average range. Predictors of their self-perceived competence were clock hours in noncredit-generative professional-development activities, academic degrees, and number of years teaching in general…

Traces the evolution of ethical norms, principles, and standards in social work during four stages in the profession's history: (1) morality period, (2) values period, (3) ethical theory and decision-making period, and (4) ethical standards and risk-management period. Recent developments in the profession include complex conceptual frameworks and…

Discusses 100-year-old debate about the primary function of the social work profession: to seek social reform or to provide individual treatment. Uses debate format to argue that these need not be mutually exclusive and divisive, and that they are increasingly evident in social work education and practice. (Author/JDM)