This paper outlines the suggested steps to improve the language usage of a teacher about whom a school principal has received complaints from parents concerning her poor grammar. It first suggests that the principal observe the teacher to verify the parents' concerns. The paper then lists 10 ideas for the principal to suggest to help the teacher…

Since 1992, AACTE and the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund have worked in partnership to advance the knowledge base of comprehensive teacher education. The AACTE/DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund's Comprehensive Teacher Education National Demonstration Project is grounded in the mutual belief that preparation of classroom teachers must…

The preparation of preservice teachers to use technology is one of the most critical issues facing teacher education programs. In response to the growing need for technological literacy, the University of Northern Colorado created a second methods course, Tools and Technology of Secondary Mathematics. The goals of the course include (a) providing…

In this article, Nicolas Kinloch questions some of the principal justifications often advanced for teaching Islamic history in schools. In particular, he wants to move us beyond our concern with current events in the Middle East. He suggests that there are dangers in looking at Islamic history if it is merely refracted through the experience of…

The purpose of science education has long been debated. Attempts to define scientific literacy provided a focus for the debate and have been driven by the widely held view that science education should stimulate behavioural changes to ensure a sustainable future. It has also led researchers to try and determine what makes science purposeful for…

This report summarizes current knowledge about the labor market for teachers and provides policy recommendations to enhance the supply of high-quality teachers. Many schools throughout the country, particularly those with low-income and low-achieving students, have difficulty attracting and retaining high-quality teachers. These schools…

"Alabama Education News" is published monthly except for June, July, and December by the Alabama Department of Education. This publication, authorized by Section 16-2-4 of the "Code of Alabama," as recompiled in 1975, is a public service of the Alabama Department of Education designed to inform citizens and educators about…

The purpose of this article is to determine how urban school districts, urban schools and urban educational leaders have planned for and implemented into practice induction programs for alternatively certified novice teachers, which will include a E-Mentor, E-Mentoring, and mentoring in response to state policy on new teacher training. The topic…

This article addresses the reform and renewal of teaching training modes, discussing ways to build up a project of teacher training universities as academic support, and to use rural primary and secondary schools as training bases to improve the holistic quality of educational service by rural teachers of fundamental education.

This report examines two components of federal legislation to enhance teaching quality by improving the training of prospective teachers and the qualifications of current teachers. One component provides grants, and the other (the accountability provisions) requires collecting and reporting information the quality of teacher training programs and…

National Board Certification represents one of the most significant reform efforts in the area of teacher quality in the last two decades. Since the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certified its first round of teachers in 1995, approximately 24,000 teachers have become certified at a cost to the country of well over $200…

In the District of Columbia Public School system, two streams might characterize the professional development component of its strategic plan for high student achievement by 2014. On the one hand, the district has begun a two year professional development program aimed at making every teacher proficient. Knowing, teaching, and assessing standards…

This paper reports on a study of three states (Maryland, Massachusetts, and Texas) that investigated their policies and practices imvolving standards, assessment, accountability, teaching quality, and public engagement. It focuses on common conditions contributing to success in raising achievement (consistency, consensus, and comprehensiveness);…

This hearing presents the views of three Indiana teachers and a principal on the status of teacher quality in Indiana and across the nation and ways in which this could be improved. It begins with opening statements by Chairman William F. Goodling, the Honorable David McIntosh, and the Honorable Mark Souder, all of the Committee on Education and…

There is an acute need to improve the quality of classroom teachers through improved standards for preservice programs and licensure and certification, especially in the middle grades. Several Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states are working to improve middle grades teacher quality. Some are raising standards on teacher licensure tests.…