College faculty peer coaching encourages better teaching while addressing the unique nature of college instruction. It is non-evaluative, based on classroom observation or instructional materials review, and targets specific instructional techniques. Programs should have clear purposes and procedures, provide formal coaching training, provide…

A study of the University of Melbourne (Australia) mandatory annual faculty evaluation program after its second year of operation is reported. Results revealed some faculty uncertainty about the plan's intentions and tensions between its summative and formative purposes. Some positive outcomes were identified, but too few to claim the plan was…

Reports a study that analyzed the processes of educational innovation in seven projects in the Andalusian region of Spain. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, the study determined that the quality of the impact of innovation on students, teachers, schools, and communities was determined by the original source, the relationship to perceived…

In a letter to a student with disabilities who is included in mainstream education, a school psychologist shares issues, concerns, and insights about their year together. The letter examines what this student taught school personnel and peers and explains that inclusion is nothing more than quality education for all students. (SM)

Key areas school districts have used in making the decision to purchase technology applications include: what the district hopes to achieve by purchasing the system; how the proposed system will support the district's vision and help achieve the strategic plan; what the effect of the proposed solution will be on staffing; and what type of timeline…

Texas has responded to its teacher shortage with a program for support and renewal. Its new teacher induction pilot is based on a set of performance standards that define expectations for beginning teachers. The pilot provides a support team of mentors, principals, and teacher educators that helps new teachers collect data and assess their skills…

Examined the change process experienced by 14 third-grade teachers participating in the University of Colorado Assessment Project, which helped teachers design and implement classroom-based performance assessments compatible with their mathematics and literacy instructional goals. Teachers made several significant changes in their ideas about…

Reports a study that investigated how partnership efforts between two universities and school districts affected the professional development of supervising teachers. Surveys and focus groups with supervising teachers indicated that there were reciprocal benefits for both student teachers and supervising teachers. (SM)

Reports on a study that sought to describe and better understand the idea of three high school teachers as writers. Describes the potentials and problems of the idea in practice. Examines how writing teachers' own writing experiences shape their approaches in the classroom. (TB)

Assuming the role of mentor, a group of college of education faculty from the University of Central Florida supported their colleagues in a 45-hour state-mandated faculty development initiative. Two faculty members chronicle the mentor-mentee component of the training, sharing results of a mentee survey. Results suggested that effective mentoring…

Discusses recommendations for redesigning teacher education programs and addresses the need for professional development of teacher educators to meet the need for program design. Highlights include integrating and implementing technology; commitment toward change; obstacles to using technology; attitudes toward technology use; the narrative of…

Examined the impact of a workshop that trained teachers in using problem-based learning to teach health content. Data from a repeated measures quasi-experimental study of participants and nonparticipants indicated that six variables differed significantly between participating and nonparticipating teachers (e.g., ratings of passive student…

Describes the American Social History Project/Center for Media and Learning, discussing the importance of sustained professional development and collaboration in achieving reflective practice and teacher change and describing how social and cultural history and literature and innovative critical pedagogy work together to enrich curricula, advance…

This article proposes a model for a supported, managed effort to create an environment in which faculty can successfully integrate technology into the teaching process. The model is based on needs identified by the information services organization at West Chester University. An alternative financial model is offered. (Author/MLW)

Presents five key ingredients for successful instructional improvement initiatives in districtwide programs (leadership density, knowledge of the literature, sense of priorities and realistic perspective on available energies and resources, development of a framework for teaching, and a teacher evaluation system complementary to the improvement of…