This digest examines the preparation of classroom teachers in health, noting what teachers should know to effectively provide school health education. Most states and school districts require some health education. Health is generally taught by regular classroom teachers in elementary school, by classroom teachers with some health certification in…

This paper targets schools, colleges, and departments of education (SCDEs), as well as other institutions involved in the preparation of early childhood education (ECE) teachers, regarding the advancement of the quality of early childhood teachers and caregivers. In order to begin framing the Association's position on ECE, and to formulate ways to…

Describes the electronic portfolio project at the University of Florida that uses Florida Accomplished Practices, benchmarks for teacher competency, to promote preservice students' reflections about their teaching and learning by promoting authentic tasks in authentic contexts. Explains the portfolio model that requires students to use technology…

Discusses conceptual and methodological issues arising when educational researchers use data from large-scale surveys to examine teachers' effects on student achievement. Data from a 1991-94 study show how researchers' use of different statistical models leads to widely varying interpretations about the overall magnitude of teacher effects. The…

Three teachers in an inquiry group reflect on what it takes to be an excellent, persistent urban teacher. Analysis of the data generated from this inquiry included such themes as teaching as intellectual work and teaching as democratic practice. Highlights problems confronting urban schools, among which are teacher retention; teacher diversity and…

Touts the rewards of being a yearbook advisor. Reviews a series of tips that could extend the life of an advisor: train, delegate, guide, then stand aside. (TB)

A survey examined characteristics of secondary educators in Texas teaching health education. Teachers with more preparation in health education were more confident and competent educators. Less than half had degrees in health education, and 10% had no academic background in health education. Most believed health education was as important as other…

Argues that because of the prevalence of media in life, teachers should be as competent in the use of image and media as they are with oral and written language. Discusses how the Geneva (Switzerland) Department of Public Instruction is dealing with a perceived teacher-knowledge gap by offering a one-year media-education course. (PEN)

As the Annenberg Institute's National School Reform Faculty collect, present, and consider their cooperative efforts, they offer beginnings of a theoretical framework for teacher portfolios and practical guidelines for their construction and presentation. Teachers can use portfolios to demonstrate improvement, tackle important questions, and…

An ETS adult-literacy study, ignored by the media, showed that teachers' prose, document, and quantitative literacy was higher than that of most other professionals. Administrators scored lower than teachers in all three literacies. Meanwhile, a highly publicized Home School Legal Defense study glorified privileged students' predictable test…

Of 184 nurse educators surveyed, 50% reported that students performed well on 21 of 60 computer literacy skills. Only 3 of 60 were being integrated into teaching practice. Faculty competence in performing these skills was correlated with their integration into teaching. (SK)

Two studies investigated teacher activities leading to the development of competence. Data from surveys, logs, and interviews indicated that evaluation and planning activities best paralleled deliberate practice activities that reportedly account for expertise. They also indicated that these activities provide opportunities for self-improvement…

A majority of 166 secondary Louisiana business teachers surveyed felt their skills were inadequate in productivity software and information technology. They rely on self-directed learning and literature for professional development. Inservice training did not seem to improve their skills. (SK)

Investigated Israeli college teachers' attitudes toward the new Staff Promotion Programme, which was designed to elevate teachers' positions by establishing criteria for promotion, emphasizing research rather than teaching at higher promotional levels. Faculty interviews and surveys indicated that respondents preferred to be evaluated according to…

Suggests that, when reviewed in controlled settings with experienced consultants, videotapes provide unique opportunities for instructor insight, feedback, and reflection. Discusses advantages of using videotape to talk about teaching, how such videotaping is done, and the risks of such videotaping. (RS)