As part of a researcher-teacher professional development group, seven general education elementary teachers in inclusive settings containing students with learning disabilities were taught four reading and writing instructional methods, one for each nine-week grading block. Sustained implementation during the school year was maintained by four of…

Explores a structured approach to support student teachers in the use of reflective self-evaluation as part of ongoing professional development. Reviews the Scottish context of initial teacher education, and describes elements of the approach: classroom climate, pairing of student teachers to encourage peer discussion, and…

The experiences of two teachers describe how BreadNet, an online professional-development and educational conference, enables teachers with similar interests to work together and maintain a sense of community. BreadNet allowed their rural schools to participate in projects with distant schools, leading to improvements in the quantity and quality…

Presents and describes a pedagogical framework that supports children's development of conceptual understanding of mathematics. Advancing Children's Thinking (ACT) is synthesized from an in-depth analysis of observed and reported data from one skillful first-grade teacher's use of the "Everyday Mathematics" curriculum. Indicates that…

Surveys the Getty Center for Education in the Arts' ArtsEdNet, as it was introduced in late 1995 and early 1996, for what was successful about it and for what it lacked. Discusses uses of the Web site for professional development and instruction. Reviews major changes to ArtsEdNet as of February 1997. (DSK)

Directors (N=203) of mental-health agencies responded to a survey designed to examine their level of acceptance and satisfaction with licensed professional counselors (LPC) in Ohio. Responses suggest a preference for hiring social workers over counselors; starting salaries were similar for both groups with comparable educational levels.…

A survey of 230 secondary school principals found that they viewed their leadership skills for guiding collaborative-based programs to be within the average range. Predictors of their self-perceived competence were clock hours in noncredit-generative professional-development activities, academic degrees, and number of years teaching in general…

Traces the evolution of ethical norms, principles, and standards in social work during four stages in the profession's history: (1) morality period, (2) values period, (3) ethical theory and decision-making period, and (4) ethical standards and risk-management period. Recent developments in the profession include complex conceptual frameworks and…

Discusses 100-year-old debate about the primary function of the social work profession: to seek social reform or to provide individual treatment. Uses debate format to argue that these need not be mutually exclusive and divisive, and that they are increasingly evident in social work education and practice. (Author/JDM)

Asserts that, over the next decade, there will be gradual but significant changes in student population and that community-college professionals need to recognize the differences that exist between the generations to relate to the new students. Suggestions for undertaking a "philosophical shift" to address change are included. Contains 11…

Describes the Revans Centre for Action Learning and Research based at the University of Salford (United Kingdom). Topics include collaborations between practitioners and academics, organizational and professional development, change and human learning processes, interdisciplinary teamwork, action learning interfacing with research; and degrees…

Describes an early childhood mentorship model used at the University of South Florida to provide support to early childhood educators. Discusses the importance of mentoring for teacher retention. Presents findings from a professional needs survey of 84 graduates, of which a core group of 30 were identified as potential master cooperating teachers…

A study of 44 rural midwestern teachers participating in three telecollaborative projects examined their experiences with technology use. Results indicate teachers attributed improved student learning to technology use; online communication with peers and experts reduced teacher isolation, enhanced professional practice, and gave access to…

The Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) school district's staff development program uses in-house expertise. Lead teachers mentor other elementary teachers in language arts while interns cover their classes. Teachers learn new teaching practices in their own classrooms, with their own students and materials, during the regular school day. A sidebar describes…

Interest by a few principals in brain-based learning led to several workshops on best educational practices and the application of neuroscience to teaching methods. Consequently, their entire Ontario school district became energized to learn about new teaching strategies. Presents nine tips, based on the principals' experiences, for facilitating…