This study is aimed at assessing the state of Philippine secondary school physics education using data from a nationwide survey of 464 schools and 767 physics teachers and at identifying challenges for substantive improvements. Teacher-related indicators revealed academic qualification deficiency, low continuing professional involvements,…

The authors of this volume's stimulus papers have taken on the challenge of developing measures of teachers' mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT). This task involves multiple decisions and considerations, including: (1) How does one specify the body of knowledge being assessed? What warrants are offered for those choices?; (2) How does one…

This digest provides a framework for professional development of outdoor educators. Outdoor and environmental educators share similar principles of outdoor learning. Thus, the performance standards recently drafted by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) can serve as a useful guide for outdoor education generally.…

Following a review of Alberta (Canada) provincial policies related to teacher preparation, certification, evaluation, and professional development, the Council on Alberta Teaching Standards advised the Minister of Education on ideas that should be included in a framework to improve educational quality. The policy positions outlined in this paper…

This paper contains recommendations for licensure for individuals working as early childhood special educators in a variety of settings. The fundamental position presented is that a free-standing credentialling process separate from the credentialling of general educators or of special educators is required for people who work with young children,…

This handbook is designed to be used by superintendents, school district personnel officers, and building administrators who are responsible for assuring proper licensure and assignment of teachers and other licensed employees to specific positions. The handbook is divided into five sections. Section 1 reviews the background and goals of the…

This packet contains materials related to North Carolina's alternative certification procedure for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers. The certification option is available to individuals already certified in some other teaching area who have been assigned to ESL instruction. Six documents are included: (1) a summary of procedures for…

Most teacher educators agree that their students need to learn general pedagogical knowledge, the pedagogical knowledge specific to their content area, and general classroom management. Beginning teachers and student teacher supervisors were asked their perceptions of the importance of various educational competencies and the university's…

This conference paper on assessment of the qualities of student teachers in middle schools discusses the concepts of authentic assessment, continuous evaluation, the roles of the cooperating teacher and the university coordinator, and assessment procedures used at the University of Northern Iowa. Eleven categories are presented for use in…

This paper offers a mechanism for producing a more marketable, competent professional coach/teacher, by addressing the content of the General Education Core. The paper discusses standards that must be met by graduates, including those of the National Teacher Examination (NTE), National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, and…

This book suggests that portfolios can become a new kind of credential of competent and effective teachers. The book includes 5 parts with 16 chapters. Part 1, "Prologue," offers: (1) "Portfolio Possibilities: Validating a New Teacher Professionalism" (Nona Lyons) and (2) "Teacher Portfolios: A Theoretical Activity"…

This article suggests that it is important to examine how constructivism-in-practice can flourish or flounder according to a variety of influences, noting the importance of outlining the challenges teachers face in understanding and implementing constructivism in classrooms. The article characterizes four major challenges faced by teachers in…

Using data from three urban school districts, this paper examines policies and practices that contribute to inequities in the allocation of well-qualified, experienced teachers within these school systems. The research attempts to focus on some of the subtle and less directly observable influences on school district policies and practices.…

California State University, Fresno developed a comprehensive program to increase the number of minority students admitted into its teacher education program. The program, developed by the School of Education and Human Development (SOEHD), resulted from claims that the mandatory California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) impedes and…

Principals and teachers are becoming frustrated with conventional evaluation practices typically used to determine teacher effectiveness and, thus, tenure and promotion. This Digest explains that as new performance standards are being developed, there are reconfigured assessment designs requiring an array of reflective, analytic skills. Creation…