Presents four case studies illustrating how preservice middle school teachers negotiated their orientations toward teaching during three years of professional courses and internships. The article examines the conflicting influences of coursework, classroom experiences, and cooperating teachers' practice. All of the students experienced a degree of…

Presents advanced rubrics to help schools measure the effectiveness of their teacher training efforts and to guide teachers on their own learning paths. Highlights include instructional software use, information literacy skills, modification of instructional delivery, assessment of student performance, individualization of the educational program,…

Reflects upon the process of writing a thesis, from the initial choice of topic through the selection of case studies and organization of interviews and supporting material, to the data analysis and writing. Discusses some of the problems that were encountered at each stage. (MJP)

Discusses the importance of teacher attitude and its interconnections with beliefs and teaching behavior. The article introduces a model to explain the gap between statements of intent and the reality of what happens in classrooms. Concludes that beliefs about innovation and its consequences are important in determining behavior and attitude…

Examines the problem of low-quality child care as a result of inadequate promotion of early childhood education needs. Explores the achievement of a unified advocacy agenda for the wide range of professional associations of early childhood education and, to this end, presents several ideas by child care center directors and discusses common goals.…

Types of faculty development efforts are examined, including three categories: individual initiatives (reflection, teaching scripts, self-directed learning); formal programs (mentors, teaching rounds, workshops, advanced education, sabbaticals); and organizational change efforts. Programs at the Southern College of Optometry are highlighted. (MSE)

Summarizes national studies relating staff education/training to child care quality. Finds that more training/education yields higher quality, but no study identifies the most effective dimensions of training/education for improving teacher behavior or child outcomes. Suggests that a common nomenclature for education/training is needed for…

Data were collected from primary school administrators about Hong Kong schools' professional development and its relationship with change and improvement and about the administrators' professional development beliefs and practices. The study found incongruence between espoused administrator beliefs about professional development and practices in…

Two beginning teacher educators exchanged letters documenting their experiences and highlighting contexts and demands associated with their roles and institutional expectations. Five years later, they reviewed their letters and now present an open letter to Deans of Education raising issues related to the induction and work of beginning teacher…

Describes a technology-mediated field experience for preservice teachers built on an emerging Professional Development School network and a two-way television system. Surveys of participants in both televised and in-person observations indicated students preferred in-person observations, though very few said they observed educationally sound…

Describes the effects of a professional development institute to promote critical self-reflection on preservice teachers' attitudes and knowledge about diversity. Data analysis of 18 usable surveys indicated increased postinstitute confidence in abilities to plan for multicultural instruction and recognize student's learning needs. The confidence…

The articles in this special section on quality assurance describe current and future efforts to create a coherent system of teacher preparation and development. Various experts discuss the status of the teaching profession, new accreditation and licensing developments, state reform movements, National Board Certification effects, and the need for…

Identifies and describes misconceptions held by preservice elementary teachers about the greenhouse effect, atmospheric ozone, and acid precipitation. (Contains 28 references.) (DDR)

Introduces an 11-step organizational audit designed to help administrators in the sport and activity sector, as well as the traditional business sector, create a friendly, encouraging environment for all. The 11 steps are: empowerment; rewards; evaluation; mission statement; policy manuals; resources; communication; organizational structure;…

Profiles two middle school teacher-education programs: (1) the undergraduate program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and (2) the graduate program at Maryville University in St. Louis County, Missouri. Emphasizes the need to provide special preparation to the teachers at this level. Discusses problems related to the rarity of…