This paper discusses dynamics of educational systems that can influence professional development. It begins by suggesting that adjusting education systems to support sustained, high-quality professional development for all teachers can be compared to developing dynamic, passionate orchestras whose productions touch their audiences and bring joy…

This paper details how a Learning Circle model provided faculty in a multi-program graduate department of education with a vehicle to reflect on their teaching, research practices, and the structure and design of their graduate programs. Through participation in the Learning Circle, faculty met weekly to discuss a common series of readings which…

This study utilized collaborative group action research to investigate the effective use of mentoring teacher programs. The research group consisted of a new content area teacher, a transferring teacher from a different state, and a university researcher. The group met initially to finalize the research question, which addressed how they could…

New U.S. teachers are challenged to educate diverse learners in an increasingly complex knowledge-based, technology-oriented society. Often, new teachers receive little support from colleagues or professional development. Many low-wealth urban districts with acute shortages are turning toward beginning teacher induction programs to keep new…

Describes a federally funded project that paired special education student teachers with experienced special education teachers to improve the knowledge and application of professional skills and competencies for both groups. The mentoring provided the teachers with opportunities to collaborate, reflect, practice, and rethink quality instruction.…

Describes four models for grouping in cooperative teaching settings with a regular and a special educator. Common coteaching issues such as grading and classroom management are addressed. Charts provide a framework for lesson planning in coteaching settings. (DB)

Outlines issues of personality factors/communication style, teaching style/philosophy, and classroom management style that should be explored by teachers before they embark on a collaborative venture into inclusion, where special and general education teachers team for extended periods of the school day. (SR)

Reflects on a study involving 92 general educators and 114 special educators that examined perceptions of actual and preferred preassessment-related team activities and team members. Discusses commonalities between preassessment and educational reform, provides an overview of the importance of preassessment, and outlines a model for preassessment.…

Discusses six suggestions to support teachers and administrators who experiment with different ways of meeting a diversity of learning needs: curricular congruence, special education teacher as team teacher, volunteers and paraprofessionals, instructional resources, class size, and staff development. Discusses why such support is vital. (SR)

An Indianapolis magnet middle school is successfully using mental models and multiple intelligences theory to guide collaborative professional development and equitable education. A curriculum originally developed for gifted and talented students is now accessible to all students. The program draws upon students' individual strengths across all…

Explored how middle level integrativist teachers working in a conventional school district sustain their commitment to integrativist learning. Used ethnographic interviewing, which uncovered four themes in these teachers' perspectives: (1) the very different nature of relationships among teachers and with students; (2) struggles with instructional…

This article discusses the stages of instruction (internalization, development, and externalization) and the four domains of instruction (materials, activities, teacher behaviors, and student grouping) that can be adapted for teaching students with disabilities. An instructional adaptation decision-making tool used to assess each of the…

Two factors, inclusion and diversity, have resulted in new collaboration between special educators and general educators and implementation of coteaching arrangements. This paper discusses the coteaching model, including various forms of coteaching and reported effectiveness with students with disabilities. Noted are frequent accounts in the…

Describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a workshop for mentor teachers that reflects the collaborative effort of a university and public school faculties. The workshop focused on giving feedback to student teachers. Evaluation data suggest that mentor teachers felt the workshop provided helpful information, teaching them how…

Focuses on a project, Teacher Education in Art and Music Mizzou (TEAMM), that included music and art education majors as a way of encouraging collaboration among arts teachers. Explains that students were assigned to one of 17 groups that included at least one freshman and one upper-level student. Presents questionnaire results. (CMK)