Driftwood Public School, a K-5 school in Toronto (Canada) with high percentages of immigrant and limited-English-speaking students, has exceeded both provincial and district averages on tests in reading, writing, and math. Success followed an intensive schoolwide effort focusing on high expectations, collaboration within grade-teams of teachers,…

Finds the most effective schools and teachers to be distinguished from moderately and less effective schools by the following: time spent in small-group reading instruction, with much teacher collaboration; coaching children in strategies to figure out unknown words as part of phonics instruction; higher-level comprehension questions; more…

A series of workshops focusing on improving science and social-studies instruction was designed by student teachers from Oakland University and classroom teachers from a Detroit-area school district. This article discusses how this professional-development design exemplifies research findings and contributed to participants' professional growth.…

Describes the Integrated Secondary Teacher Education Program (I-STEP), offered at Northern Arizona University, which educates teachers for middle school careers. Describes program features: (1) integration; (2) field experience; (3) inquiry and problem--based learning; (4) intense collaboration; and (5) alternative student assessment models. (KB)

Investigated sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction of university and public school participants in a middle school Professional Development School (PDS). Participants from collaborative inquiry groups completed questionnaires at the end of their first PDS year. Satisfaction outweighed dissatisfaction, with members of co-led groups more…

A national survey of 1,000 secondary school special educators servicing students with mild disabilities yielded 407 responses. Results found that the teachers interacted frequently with general and special educators to share information and infrequently with community service providers. They perceived themselves to have an average to above average…

Examined preservice general educators' self-perceived levels of competence to participate in school- and community-based collaboration activities designed to enhance the education of diverse student populations. Surveys indicated that, overall, they perceived themselves to have less than average knowledge and skill for most competencies necessary…

One way to develop well-qualified future teachers is to utilize the pool of exemplary veteran teachers. Teachers who can balance high expectations with competent, caring attitudes that prevent alienation of students have much to offer their colleagues. Higher educators can provide the scaffolding to support veteran teachers in public schools so…

One alternative teacher preparation method is the University of Arkansas' five-year Master of Arts in Teaching program, which involves graduate level coursework and a fifth-year public school internship following receipt of a Bachelor's degree in education. Benefits include university/school collaboration, increased field experience, and improved…

Discusses professional development schools (PDSs), focusing on their use in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learning. Examines the context of the PDS movement and describes a successful ESL PDS at Trent Academy, an elementary school in a low income, high crime area of Los Angeles that formed a partnership with a state university. (SM)

The Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative aims to improve math and science instruction in 48 schools in 6 Appalachian states. The three program components are "teacher partners" who act as resources to colleagues; access to educational resources, through a collaboration with five area universities and acquisition of telecommunications…

Preassessment teams are a collaborative problem-solving resource for teachers who have students with learning or behavioral problems. A survey of 48 rural preassessment team members found that they perceived themselves as a very effective support system for their colleagues, but desired more training in designing behavior management strategies…

Faculties must pass through several stages when becoming learning organizations: the honeymoon, conflict, confusion, messy, scary, and mature-group stages. Mature school communities have learned to view power differently, make learning more meaningful for students, and model a just and democratic society. Consensus is the starting point. (MLH)

The experiences of three students (elementary, middle school, and high-school students) with significant disabilities who had been members of an urban general education classrooms for at least 3 years are described. Students were provided with accommodations and modifications, however, there was a lack of connection between Individualized…

Presents a sample dialogue between a science teacher and an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher to demonstrate the value of teacher collaborations in improving instructional strategies for ESL students. Considers ways to determine the student's level of learning despite language barriers and to maintain high content levels while helping…