Describes the community of English educators in 2001. Considers individual and collective roles of English educators as modeling life-long learning for students, prospective teachers, and colleagues. Concludes that the vision of English educators in the 21st century must be locally constructed and rest upon the desires of participants to make…

Discusses the role of the principal as staff developer, clarifying some things that principals must do to fulfill their responsibilities as staff development leaders. This includes: emphasizing a context of collaboration in their schools, promoting results-driven learning, and modeling a commitment to their own ongoing professional development in…

Describes the Russell Scholars Learning Community Laboratory at the University of Southern Maine and identifies elements of this curricular piece that would be useful to those who intend to develop similar programs on their campuses. The objective of the Lab is for students to acquire life-skills through exposure to non-traditional learning and…

Reviews the development of the Maryland Virtual High School (MVHS) of Science and Mathematics, which provides science resources, mentoring, and support for Internet collaboration by teachers and students. Describes how MVHS teams organize teachers and schools statewide. Discusses lessons learned from the MVHS, highlighting the MVHS CoreModels…

Examines three very different elementary, middle, and high schools that used the National Staff Development Council's original 1995 standards to design exemplary staff development programs that resulted in improved student achievement. Program highlights include school leaders who value lifelong learning for staff and students, multi-disciplined…

Discusses studies that find small secondary schools are safer than large schools; offers three reasons for these findings: students are visible, there is a professional community of teachers, and small schools have a clear sense of purpose. Supports reasons with examples from several small secondary schools. (PKP)

A recent survey shows that Texas elementary teachers believe most students' science-education needs are adequately met in their schools. About 12 percent of 85,000 teachers are involved in collaborative ventures related to teaching and learning in science. Teachers recommended developing better science curricula and preservice courses. (MLH)

Presents an interview about learning communities with Ann Lieberman, known for her work in teacher leadership and development, educational change, collaborative research, and partnerships. The interview addresses characteristics of schools with professional learning communities; how such schools are created; necessary external supports; on-the-job…

California's newly legislated Peer Assistance and Review Program will hopefully transform the state's teaching profession. PAR will serve as a catalyst for positive change in several areas: recognition of teaching as a lifelong developmental process; alignment of teacher development with standards; and creation of labor/management partnerships.…

Describes how a teacher and a teacher educator collaborated to extend their thinking regarding effective learning environments and to challenge their own uncertainties through dialog. Discusses four aspects of effective learning environments: creating authentic, meaningful, and personalized curriculum; making visible differences in language and…

Considers the potential impact of teacher training on specific practices and reform efforts in elementary and secondary schools who are using the World Wide Web. Describes a collaborative project involving teacher training courses at three universities, and concludes that preservice teacher Web-based collaboration has the potential to enhance…

Used interview data from beginning teachers, mentors, and principals to study the implementation of new arrangements for monitoring and supporting beginning teachers in England, examining the significance of teacher culture in their first teaching year. The new arrangements appeared to have made the greatest impact on schools where the culture was…

Discusses six questions to help teachers differentiate between the ability and performance of students with learning disabilities and those whose native language is not English. Describes experience with individual students. Recommends that ESOL and special-education teachers collaborate in diagnostic process. (Contains 11 references.) (PKP)

Drawing on the methodology of critical incidents, this study sets out to explore the perspectives that 20 experienced in-service mentors in Israel adopt towards critical incidents in their work, as they account for how they reason about and act upon these incidents. Mentors' stories of critical incidents shed light on the complex nature of…

Collaborative teaching is used in many college and university programs to foster student enthusiasm and inquiry and to promote interdisciplinary learning. A literature review reveals benefits and pitfalls, but it lacks sufficient information for instructing team teachers in planning collaborative courses. In this article, we outline suggestions…