Discusses 11 books that present thought-provoking ideas to help classroom teachers, parents, and administrators understand the world of developing literacy. Addresses a variety of professional books ranging from texts that focus on issues of race, to books that take up emergent literacy, to texts on beginning teaching. (SR)

By analyzing an unsuccessfully implemented project (a federally funded reading initiative), staff at a Michigan elementary school gained understanding about the countless dilemmas accompanying the change process. Real and lasting changes must be related to positive existing practices and require adequate time, support, and collaboration. (MLH)

This article explores four mentor-mentee relationships arranged through the Alliance 2000 Project. Faculty members of minority institutions of higher education worked with mentors (successful proposal writers, grant holders, and content experts) from other academic institutions during proposal development for submission to the Office of Special…

Knowledge Forum is Canadian software that enables elementary students in Nunavut to record and share their topics of investigation and those of their classmates, much as a community of scientists would. The goal is the creation of learning communities in which students collaboratively build knowledge and teachers facilitate. The software also has…

Weary of fighting with other districts for the best teachers, Fairfax (Virginia) County Schools adopted a more cooperative approach. The district is pursuing professional-development school agreements with four area universities. Similar recruitment partnerships are under way in Cleveland, Ohio; Tolleson, Arizona; and Olathe, Kansas. (MLH)

Evaluated the impact of student teachers on the public school teachers and students within the Professional Development Schools (PDS) in which they were placed. Data from observations, samples of student teacher and student work, and interviews with student teachers, mentor teachers, and principals indicated that the PDS-mediated collaborations…

Describes a teachers' professional development seminar presented by Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Reports findings of a survey of 53 faculty participants of the seminar, along with recommendations on improving the seminar's format and content. Includes survey instrument. (NB)

Fourteen theme articles discuss the following: curriculum ideas and innovations in agricultural education, agricultural literacy, Supervised Agricultural Experience, active learning, locating agricultural education resources, distance and web-based instruction, principles of forest management, professional development, and service learning. (JOW)

Examines the complex roles and responsibilities of Professional Development School (PDS) liaisons from the perspective of one liaison who has served in many capacities. She notes that her most intriguing challenge relates to differences among sets of roles and responsibilities, some of which are more hierarchical and some of which are more…

The SIP (Standards in Practice) instructional improvement program was successfully implemented in three El Paso school districts. Student scores have soared. Teacher development must be ongoing, site-based, and targeted to all students' specific needs. Teachers need strong verbal and math skills, deep content knowledge, and teaching skill. (MLH)

Argues that the issues of good teaching practice and professionalism are at risk of becoming marginalized in the developing market culture. Finds that a growing compliance of schools to middle-class parents may result in the overriding of teachers' professional judgments that do not mirror the perceived requirements of these "valued"…

Reports on a collaborative project developing CD-ROM multimedia resources for school leaders. Provides an overview of multimedia case-simulation concept, discusses collaborative project efforts with regional and state school leaders, highlights CD-ROM case design features, and summarizes preliminary findings associated with the Administrator Case…

Evaluated a professional development project, Constructing and Networking for Multiage Learning, which gave teachers Internet access and support for more constructivist teaching. Found that teachers initially modified their teaching, but reverted to more traditional practices by the end of 3 years. Although most became successful technology users,…

At the core of school reform is an unwavering belief in possibility: the deep conviction that each and every student can reach higher academic levels than typical expectations would have people settle for. This belief in possibility acknowledges the potential of every student to learn, every teacher to teach, and every family member to partner…

Differentiated instruction allows each student to learn at the depth, complexity, and pace that is most beneficial to him. Differentiating curriculum and instruction is a rich and effective strategy to use when providing the needs of gifted and talented students--especially when those students spend most of their time in regular classrooms. A…