A discussion of quality in preservice and inservice teacher education in Greece focuses on the political and social issues that have given it form, differences between preservice training for primary and secondary teachers, changes in inservice education, quality control and assessment, and related research on quality. (SM)

Describes the Chita Institute for the Improvement of Qualifications which employs 120 specialist trainers for Sourthern Siberia. The institute uses a block-circle system for improving teacher qualifications (referring to the combined subject matter specialties and cyclic nature of the process). The system helps teachers realize creative…

This study investigated whether high school health teachers taught about homosexuality, how much time they spent on the subject, where they obtained information, and how competent they felt. Surveys indicated that less than half formally taught the subject and then for less than one class period. Most felt incompetent to teach about homosexuality.…

Proposes a strategy for incorporating multiculturalism into teacher education; examines why future teachers need to develop multicultural competencies, how to integrate general principles of multicultural education and curriculum design into teacher preparation programs, and how to accomplish integration so prospective teachers will be empowered…

Argues for a reconceptualization of teaching expertise based on psychological similarities of expert teachers to one another. The authors offer a prototype-based categorization model, drawn from psychological research, on which the family resemblance among expert teachers may be founded. The authors discuss several implications of the prototype…

This study compared levels of computer use by 170 practicing elementary school teachers with 167 preservice teachers' expected levels of use. Results of questionnaires assessed levels of computer use, self-competence in the use of computers, perceived relevance of computers to teaching, teacher locus of control, and teacher innovativeness.…

To examine professional knowledge and growth, experienced elementary teachers completed open-ended interviews that highlighted memorable experiences in their professional lives. Results indicated that teachers preserved and built a sense of their own competence by developing a knowledgeable, malleable concept of professional practice. Their…

This study examined the theoretical, personal, and instructional assumptions about students with learning disabilities of 29 general elementary-level educators using a design-of-instruction and instructional efficacy framework. Teachers emphasized within-learner variables, questioned the adequacy of commercial curricular programs for these…

A study involving 38 specialized preservice programs for teachers and orientation and mobility instructors working with children and adults with visual impairments found that they teach their students how to teach a range of social skills through offering courses or infusing social-skills concepts into existing courses. (CR)

Explores the knowledge teachers will need to have in the future and considers the implications of new requirements for teaching and teacher education. Advances several propositions for changes in the perception of pedagogical knowledge, school curricula, and school structure and proposes a strategy of "core" and "periphery" aspects of…

Argues for the inclusion of assessment coursework as a necessary component in teacher education through a demonstration of the relationship between test validity and the law. Focuses on the seventh assessment competency listed in the Standards for Teacher Competence in Educational Assessment of Students: recognizing unethical, illegal, and…

Argues that teacher education in economics is essential if high school students are to have an opportunity to learn economics. Presents results from a study that shows that a three-year master's degree program in economics has beneficial effects on the understanding of both the participating teachers and their students. (DSK)

This article describes the new National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate for teachers of students with disabilities. The certification process, the required Exceptional Needs portfolio, the assessment center, and the application fee are discussed, along with answers to frequently asked questions about the NBPTS.…

Focuses on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards addressing the reasons for adopting teaching standards, the process for developing and approving the standards, a projection of what the music standards might look like, and the assessment procedures for measuring teaching practices against the standards. (CMK)

Peer review is one alternative for improving teacher evaluation and educational outcomes, offering teacher unions an expanded role in assuring teaching quality. It raises many issues for teachers and unions which need resolution if this shift in the authority relationship among teachers and between teachers and administrators is to be widely…