This paper explores how states have addressed the issue of judging teachers' off-duty behavior through statute and what the courts have said about this issue. The statutory schemes of the 50 states and the courts' analysis of the same indicate that educators are held to a higher standard of behavior than people in other professions. Teachers play…

This paper describes a university research program, the Teacher Model Group, which developed a theory of teaching in context, examining how and why teachers make specific decisions and take specific actions as they teach. The teacher model includes descriptions of teacher beliefs, goals, and knowledge. Two core assumptions underlying the model are…

This study investigated the consistency of classroom process variables. Four teachers representing the primary, intermediate, middle, and high school levels of instruction were observed for extended periods of time. Information about four classroom process variables was collected using the Five-Minute Observation component of the SRI Classroom…

Most very young children seem to have a natural interest in books. As children grow, some maintain this disposition, learn to read early, and become lifelong lovers of books; however, some children lose the disposition or do not develop it at all, and they never experience the joy of the written word. This paper looks at the educator's role in…

In the school culture, teachers are often caught between sanctioned instructional behavior and their own judgment; governed by legislated edicts, yet not freed by them to nurture their students. The relationship between pedagogic actions and morally acceptable outcomes, between responsibility to the self and to the students, the school, and the…

This paper discusses teachers' moral mistakes, using data from 59 teacher interviews, 26 teacher written responses, and 98 ninth grade student written responses. Teachers and students described incidents in their schools that made them reflect on the moral nature of the situation. The most common moral dilemmas in schools related to teacher…

A study examined the characteristics of teachers who can be shown to be effective in teaching literacy to primary pupils. Aims of the research were to: (1) identify the key factors in what effective teachers know, understand, and do which enable them to put effective teaching of literacy into practice in the primary phase; (2) identify the…

Teachers represent a connection between students and parents. They have an enormous impact on how the philosophy of a school is translated and communicated to these two groups of constituents. Teachers are also intermediaries between the institution and the students, yet because of their sheer numbers in these institutions, they are also part of…

This report summarizes the procedures and results from a 3-year research project that investigated the reciprocal sequence of interaction behaviors between teachers and students around disruptive behaviors in general education classrooms. The study was conducted in six elementary and two middle schools serving relatively large numbers of students…

This paper discusses a study of Dutch secondary education reform, describing the background, noting implications for teacher learning, and arguing that learning supports professional development and derives from performance of activities that help teachers develop professionally. Based on a literature study, a conceptual model was developed in…

This paper presents a conceptual framework of teachers' practical knowledge. The researcher examined interview data from 29 Finnish elementary school teachers to identify common features underlying teachers' practical knowledge. The interviews examined teachers' teaching and students' learning activities, social relationships within the…

Eliciting creativity in every student in the classroom can be a realistic goal for classroom teachers. Teaching creatively can include: embracing a student-centered learning approach; using thematic approaches to content area subjects, which also promotes motivation; using a cooperative learning group process; and utilizing creative arts.…

Examined the index of effective teaching and the curriculum appropriate for the development of teaching competency with the accent on personality in good teachers''. (RK)

Five basic theories of instructor behavior and attitudes were briefly discussed and evaluated. Each of these theories was evaluated for their significance with regard to instructional performance and institutional achievement. (Author/RK)

Research results show that the mechanics of corrective reading are learned equally well via direct contact with children or videotape recordings. Research did not measure subjects' affective responses, but the researcher noted that students who had direct contact with children were more enthusiastic. (HMD)