Reports the results of a phenomenographical study of teaching which provides a framework for analyzing how teaching is viewed by teachers. The study focused on how 29 teachers viewed the development of skill in their work. Four conceptions of skill development were derived from the interviews. (JDH)

Twenty-seven teachers participating in the KEEP program were interviewed to determine the extent to which they developed self-regulatory cognition and self-directed speech in response to stressful training conditions. Illustrates how self-speech and self-regulation accompany and aid the acquisition and internalization of new skills. (DR)

Notes that current research does not provide conclusive evidence about the influence a teacher has on student performance or behavior. (FL)

Provides a comparative assessment of maternal and nonmaternal infant caregiving practices in own-home and unregulated family day-care homes, respectively. A total of 30 caregivers (10 employed mothers, 10 substitute caregivers, and 10 nonemployed mothers) were observed in interaction with five- to six-month-old infants. (Author/RH)

Reviews literature concerning the importance of leadership in educational administration and characteristics of the successful leader. Stresses the need for equal attention to the importance and attributes of successful followership. (NEC)

Analyses of questionnaires on instructional practices answered by 67 teachers of trainable mentally retarded students and 45 teachers of profoundly mentally retarded students identified similarities and differences in seven categories: personal/professional information, professional preparation, classroom teaching activity, classroom management,…

Identified classroom variables (teacher variables and classroom climate) which are related to changes in high school students' conceptions of the nature of science. Results discussed are based on data collected over a two-year period from 18 biology teachers and their 409 students. Implications for science instruction are addressed. (JN)

Several aspects of Mosston's Spectrum of Styles are listed and discussed. Many of the concepts have not been proven as appropriate instructional approaches. The idea of reconceptualizing several styles of the Spectrum into microstrategies is suggested. (Author/DF)

Reviews research on the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies in the classroom, noting some past research difficulties. Presents findings within an interactional framework. Considers teacher and child effects on the relationship of expectations, achievement, and behavior. Speculates on monitoring the expectancy effect over the course of a child's…

Teachers must first become confident with their own writing before they can guide students toward being effective writers. Insight into understanding writing behavior and developing trust and control are offered. (DF)

The purpose of the present study was to (1) broaden the range of teacher behaviors to include both the use of contingent praise and contingent educational materials; (2) present a procedure efficent in terms of demands on teacher and consultant time; and (3) illustrate the delivery of services using a behavioral consultation model. (BW)

Emphasizes that too rigid a separation of educational philosophy from educational practice and inadequacies in philosophers' understanding of teaching lend support to one another. Discusses philosophers' analyses of teaching and what seems to be their underlying assumptions. (Author/RK)

Teachers at two elementary schools conducted behavior modification projects in their classrooms to verify the existence of reciprocity between the amount of reinforcement given and the amount received. Their findings, following approximately four weeks, suggest that such a relationship exists. (Author)

By training teachers to vary systematically the way in which they performed recitation strategy, it was hoped to determine (1) whether teachers can be trained to control precisely the way they teach when using that strategy and (2) whether different versions have measurably different effects on student learning. (MM)