Examines Pennsylvania's teacher preparation and selection processes over the past decade, highlighting teacher test scores across colleges of education and in employing districts. The higher a district's teacher unemployment rate, the more likely it is to hire former students. Student achievement is lower in schools with greater proportions of…

Analysis of how practicing teachers of the deaf characterized their job led to identification of 12 roles. Tables show desired teacher characteristics and responsibilities for each role. Roles include advocacy, knowledge, assertiveness, resource expertise, assessment, modification, speech assessment/intervention, audition assessment/intervention,…

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…

Examines elements that, when properly combined, make up a school (teaching, learning, curriculum, preparation for life, testing, administration, and teacher training), suggesting that teachers, parents, and administrators should make firm demands; entertain reasonable expectations; refrain from routine pieties, enthusiasms, promises, and slogans;…

Discusses how in Connecticut, all teachers must be certified for the position they hold. Outlines the specific certification levels in Connecticut for English Language Arts. (SG)

Examined the impact of early field experiences by surveying school of education graduates, half of whom completed a program requiring extra early field experiences. Respondents considered early field experiences significant and necessary. Different students held different expectations for their experiences, which impacted the experiences.…

Discusses the present and future role of the Community College in higher education in the areas of innovation, curriculum, technology and faculty competence. (NH)

Beginning agriculture teachers (n=76) rated their performance and need for inservice training in 163 competencies, then ranked the level of importance of the competencies. Only 4 ranked among the top 15 in both. Mean weighted discrepancy rankings were more congruent with inservice needs in the literature. The discrepancy approach may be a more…

Fifty Hong Kong Chinese teachers rated the importance of 25 characteristics and 14 competencies for teachers of gifted learners. Characteristics classified as philosophical ideals were rated most important, followed by characteristics related to professional predispositions. Personal attributes were rated as least important. Implications for the…

This article describes four myths about teacher quality commonly associated with the 2001 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. Myth 1 explores the hypothesis that generating an endless supply of new teachers to solve the teacher shortage is the best way to alleviate any real teacher shortage. Myth 2 tackles the assertion that academic ability…

Those who are entrusted with the economic and social future of the U.S. should be unnerved with what is happening and not happening in the essential areas of teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention. Mindful of the facts, the College Board's Center for Innovative Thought, whose members include academic and business leaders, assessed the…

The problem of teacher incompetence is a serious one, affecting large numbers of American public school students. There is a significant discrepancy between estimated rates of incompetent teachers and the number of teachers actually dismissed on grounds of incompetence. This study sought to uncover the perceptions of teachers regarding a…

The unpacking of the mathematical knowledge necessary for teaching division is examined. A core task for surfacing and unpacking one's division knowledge is presented and the understandings that might comprise a package of teacher knowledge for division is discussed.

The purpose of a credentialing examination is to assure the public that individuals who work in an occupation or profession have met certain standards. To be consistent with this purpose, credentialing examinations must be job related, and this requirement is typically met by developing test plans based on an empirical job or practice analysis.…

Professional development is the catalyst to transforming theory into current best teaching practices. In order to provide effective professional development, there are many variables that must be considered by the school principal including teacher beliefs and receptivity, the school climate, and available local school support. Ultimately,…