The urgent need for an effective performance-based assessment tool that can make the connection between effective teaching and student learning has spurred action by expert educators. The Teacher Work Sample Methodology (TWSM) is a quality assurance system that can assess what students learn, how well they learn it, progress they make in their…

This book argues that the current process for teacher licensing does not always guarantee competence in the classroom, and it offers advice on how to prepare and evaluate aspiring teachers for the challenges of their profession. It places Minnesota's experience in the context of current reform efforts and suggests that developing and requiring a…

This telephone survey of Kentucky beginning teachers examined overall preparation; preparation for Kentucky's new teacher standards; preparation of teachers for Kentucky's instructional initiatives; influence of teacher preparation institutions on attitudes toward school reform; agreement with beliefs underlying Kentucky's Education Reform Act…

This article reviews the contributions and limitations of economic analyses of resource allocation policies aimed at improving teacher quality. Two analytic frameworks taken from the study of the economics of education are employed: productivity theory and human capital theory. The article first summarizes results of various economic analyses of…

This document describes Rhode Island's School Accountability for Learning and Teaching (SALT) process. It defines SALT's vision, outlines Article 31 (which requires schools to engage in self-study and goal setting and sets rigorous requirements for schools), and explains how SALT concepts mirror and respond to Article 31 demands. SALT's vision is…

The White House Conference on Child Health and Protection afforded a strong stimulus to work for atypical children; many of whom are suffering neglect under our present somewhat standardized system of schools. The number of school systems in this country in which attention is given to the education of children conspicuously deviating from the…

The growing consciousness on the part of adults that they should continue their education is revealing itself by a general and growing interest in the public evening schools. There are those who think that this movement is one of the most important for race betterment that the world has ever known. It is but natural that taxpayers who have…

Surveyed 1500 school district superintendents nationwide to determine why teachers are placed on probation. Found that, from 230 responding districts, 139 teachers were placed on probation the first year, with the number increasing to 156 in the second year and declining to 64 the third year. Proposes that teachers be involved in their own…

Using a review of current literature, this article discusses faculty preparation and higher education's commitment to pedagogical instruction and skill development. Identifies 19 institutions that offer graduate degree programs, exclusive of the Doctor of Arts, intended to prepare college faculty. Asserts that the teaching disciplines must…

Discusses four key areas that help define and focus teacher educators' move toward a comprehensive research agenda (program design, professional development, personnel, and P-16 student learning and achievement). Summarizes literature that supports findings relevant to P-12 education (professional development of candidates, leadership development…

Presents goals of National Commission on Teaching and America's Future to improve education by improving teachers' knowledge and skills: (1) all children taught by teachers with knowledge, skills, and commitment; (2) teacher education programs meeting professional standards; (3) access to professional development and time for collegial work and…

The major characteristics of expert physical education teachers include thorough planning, focus on individual student performance, heightened perceptual abilities, automaticity of behavior, creative feedback responses, command of subject matter, and use of reflective practices. Suggestions for developing teaching expertise in all of the areas are…

Examined the usefulness of formal teacher preparation for those with prior teaching experience, investigating the experiences of Stanford Teacher Education Program graduates. Five themes emerged as central to their learning (e.g., greater awareness of students in their classes who were struggling academically and how to help them, broader and more…

Connecticut's Beginning Educator Support and Training (BEST) program offers support and assessment for beginning teachers. This paper describes Connecticut's continuum of support, the portfolio assessment process, and the effect of high standards on preservice physical educator preparation, experienced teachers, and K-12 curriculum, instruction,…

Report of a study of a model that describes how supervision works in schools to influence teacher efficacy and commitment. Results indicate that the data fit the conceptual model well and that supervision has a profound impact on teachers' commitment and efficacy levels. (Contains 3 figures, 2 tables, and 60 footnotes.) (AUTHOR)