Describes traits of effective child care team members: instigator--develops ideas; day-dream believer--suggests solutions; jester--relieves tension; mother hen--ensures fair treatment; nervous Nellie--critiques ideas; keeper of the faith--focuses on center's mission; bull dog--keeps on task; compromiser--preserves unity; and mover and…

This article discusses the process and structures of teacher collaboration; the collaborative tools available to educators for accommodating students with disabilities in regular settings; and the instructional, curricular, and contextual factors in designing more inclusive educational programs. It proposes a decision network that collaborating…

Describes the development of a seamless curriculum of four methods courses--literacy, math, social studies, and science--within a transdisciplinary framework, defining transdisciplinary teaching and learning as a context and conveyor for knowledge influenced by the synergy between learners and teachers, which embraces collaboration,…

Presents perspectives and experiences of prospective science teachers who developed science lessons and small educational projects in collaboration with practicing elementary and middle school teachers. Concludes that prospective teachers perceived themselves to be more confident and more competent to teach science after the collaboration. (SOE)

Examined the impact of an interdisciplinary teacher project on the learning of preservice secondary teachers enrolled in a graduate level teacher education program. Data on four successive cohorts of students indicated that participants successfully created and implemented interdisciplinary curriculum and were quite positive about the experience.…

Brain researchers developed a three-tier model to treat reading problems, involving screening for early intervention, modifying regular instruction and monitoring student progress, and diagnosing and treating referred children. In a pilot of the model, 64 percent of 215 participating students needed no further intervention beyond tier 2. In…

Empathic e-mailing is one way of bringing new teachers together with their mentors without changing established schedules. This article notes the basic elements of effective and poor e-mail communication and describes how one public school system augments its mentor training staff development program with empathic writing, both during summer…

School districts and a college of education in Omaha, Nebraska, collaborate to reallocate existing resources for a teacher induction program that boosts the quality of teaching by both novice and experienced teachers and enhances job satisfaction. The program improves teacher quality by providing new teachers with mentors, continuing their…

Explains the Primary Years Program (PYP), an inquiry framework developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization that describes the characteristics of an international student in the learner profile and describes its use in the Vienna International School. Discusses collaborative planning by teachers; real-life connections; and role of the…

Discusses collaboration and collaboration strategies used within neighborhood schools to support inclusive education. Views values and skills required for collaboration, describes strategies for collaboration with parents and students with disabilities, provides guidelines for collaborative teaching, and suggests strategies to schedule team…

State-sponsored teacher networks in Vermont and California are compared, using interviews with teachers, network staff, and policymakers. It is concluded that state-sponsored networks can improve teachers' knowledge and motivation while empowering them. Recommendations are made for loosely coupled and capacity-building strategies to support…

Discusses barriers to the development of inclusive school programs for secondary students with mild disabilities, and the implementation of an inclusive program in a 9th-grade general math class and an 11th-grade English class. Describes the development of partnerships between general and special education teachers. (CR)

Surveyed cooperating teachers and analyzed collegial study groups to investigate change in their perceptions of themselves as teachers and in classroom practice, also noting whether their work as cooperating teachers impacted students' perceptions of classroom life. Overall, becoming a cooperating teacher provided experienced teachers with…

Discusses the use of technology and the Internet as a means of sharing music programs with parents and the community. Explains that a Web site enables teachers to share students' learning and musical performances. Provides resources for designing Web sites and offers information on putting music on a Web site. (CMK)

Examined implementation of a model for inclusion-related professional development at a disadvantaged primary school in Queensland, Australia. The model focused on school reculturing, collaboration between teaching professionals, and opportunities for individual teacher learning. Found that the model enhanced teachers' sense of ownership and…