The purpose of this qualitative study was to obtain a better understanding of the obstacles and possible solutions for improving science education in Southern Mexico. It provides information about the challenges faced by teachers and school administrators, and possible alternatives for improving the quality of teaching after ten years of a…

This study presents a strategic review of the current quality and effectiveness of more than 40 online professional development (OPD) sites for teachers of mathematics. The evidence gathered about this relatively new form of professional development was compared with evidence on the quality and effectiveness of traditional face-to-face…

Many people feel mathematics education in the U.S. is in need of improvement. Fennema and Franke (1992) note that teachers' knowledge (or lack thereof) is often associated with poor instruction and thus, low student achievement on instruments which measure mathematical aptitude. For this reason, universities across the country have become…

Student learning depends on the teacher's actions, which are, in turn, dependent on the teacher's knowledge base--defined here by three components: knowledge of mathematics content, knowledge of student epistemology, and knowledge of pedagogy. The purpose of this study is to construct models for teachers' knowledge base and for their development…

In this paper we document the importance of institutional context in both constraining and enabling the work of mathematics teachers. We build from our current and ongoing collaborative efforts with middle-grades mathematics teachers to provide an analytic approach and resulting analysis that clarifies the critical role of institutional context in…

In the District of Columbia Public School system, two streams might characterize the professional development component of its strategic plan for high student achievement by 2014. On the one hand, the district has begun a two year professional development program aimed at making every teacher proficient. Knowing, teaching, and assessing standards…

The purpose of this action study was to examine teachers' beliefs about the causes of stress and burnout in a rural Arkansas school district in 2004. One hundred thirty teachers of all grade levels of the school district were sampled with a Likert survey of 45 items. Subscales of the survey include stressor associated with administration,…

This book presents a guide for educators who want to gain new ideas and a fresh perspective on staff development. It promotes individual and collective learning of all participants as they undertake formal staff development while enhancing the success and performance of the entire educational system. The 30 reflective exercises have been designed…

This hearing presents the views of three Indiana teachers and a principal on the status of teacher quality in Indiana and across the nation and ways in which this could be improved. It begins with opening statements by Chairman William F. Goodling, the Honorable David McIntosh, and the Honorable Mark Souder, all of the Committee on Education and…

Most of the predominantly Hispanic students at Los Fresnos High School (LFHS), Texas, speak both Spanish and English, qualify for reduced-price or free lunches, and are considered at-risk. LFHS students historically scored poorly on the California Achievement Test and Texas Assessment of Academic Skill, and many dropped out of school when they…

Successfully integrating technology does not result from isolating and focusing solely on technology issues but rather from infusing technology into the overall school culture. Chris Dede (1998) suggests that effective integration of new and emerging technologies requires simultaneous innovations in pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, and school…

This document summarizes the Santa Barbara City College 2002-2005 College Plan. The plan's goals are: (1) to develop and implement strategies to increase assistance to students in identifying learning needs and defining educational, career, and life goals; (2) to increase the percentage of students attaining educational goals; (3) to increase…

Noting that preparing teachers to be expert practitioners is a complex task, this handbook is intended to assist teacher educators in creating a comprehensive staff development program within a school or district, or in designing a course for teachers at the preservice or advanced degree level. The handbook gives step-by-step instructions for…

What is not fully understood about educational technology is how to transform computer technology into a powerful pedagogical tool. One way to address instructional issues associated with integrating computer technology in classrooms is to analyze educational best practices associated with technology integration in classrooms. Technology standards…

The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive model for local school technology professional development that facilitated technology integration into the curriculum. The local school technology committee conducted an informal performance analysis to determine a plan of action. As a needs assessment, stakeholders were surveyed to…