Recounts how a change in attitude and strategy turned classroom disaster to creative success. (JL)

Discusses some of the problems in recent research on sex differences in classroom interaction, and suggests an interaction model of sex equity in the classroom. The model involves three concepts that characterize the transmission and reinforcement of sex role messages: teacher feedback, role opportunity structure, and student mediation. (CM)

An interview with David Berliner explores his claims that research on teacher effectiveness will only be applied practically when "connoisseurs of teaching" act as teacher coaches, helping teachers to analyze the effects of their behaviors, specify new behaviors, and assess the results. (PGD)

One of the keys to successfully identifying innovation configurations is to develop a clear understanding and description of innovation components. The first step requires the identification of operational components. Secondly, it is important to observe the innovation in use and to interview users. The final steps involve constructing a checklist…

Many universities share the belief that the traditional four-year teacher education program provides insufficient time to prepare a professional, well-educated teacher, and are considering the adoption of an extended teacher education program. The program should focus on field experiences. (JN)

This review focuses on the relationship between instructional processes and student behavior as presented in "Time to Learn," a description of processes, findings, and implications from the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study. Attention is given to chapters concerning data collection, relational and descriptive processes, and limitations…

Notes discrepancies between what middle grade teachers thought they should do and what they were doing as far as grouping practices in reading instruction (both multiple groupings and individualized programs). Indicates the need for more teacher training in how to use objective data when making instructional decisions. (RL)

To explore the noncognitive impact of teachers on their students, a review of teacher behaviors and interpersonal variables influencing teaching effectiveness is presented. Four pupil traits are explored--sex, social class, achievement level, and classroom seating--which relate to discrepancies in the frequency and quality of teacher behavior.…

Investigating student responses to a Classroom Behavior Survey, researchers were able to discriminate between high and low achievers in two courses of differing instructional design. Prediction of students' levels of achievement was based on student ratings of teacher behavior and teacher characteristics. Implications are presented for curriculum…

Reading instruction and its effects were examined for 105 students in elementary classrooms for the learning disabled. Extensive detailed observations of students, teachers, and instructional material were used to explore the plausibility of a causal model of the effects of reading behaviors and instruction on students' reading performance.…

Teacher personal control was investigated by comparing the responses of teacher trainees with those of practicing teachers. The responses of teachers with more than five years experience indicated a significantly higher sense of personal control than either teacher trainees or teachers with less than five years experience. (Author/JN)

Evaluated the effectiveness of an in-service science program, designed to introduce the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) to 35 elementary schools, by measuring teachers' (N=168) use of living materials available from the school district's resource supply center. Findings include no significant increase in material usage by workshop…

Examines the extended metaphor of "burnout" as it applies to the teaching profession. Examines three ancient Celtic invocations for the better tending of fires, which reveal ways that teachers can burn with enthusiasm without burning out from apathy. (RL)

Assertive Discipline (AD) advocates a systematic approach which enables teachers to set firm, consistent limits for students while remaining cognizant of students' need for warmth and positive support. This article describes effective and ineffective teacher disciplinary behaviors, AD competencies, and the implementation of AD at Rice Elementary…

A study is discussed that examined: the instructional weaknesses and strengths of a teacher education curriculum course, the specific teaching behaviors that students liked and disliked, and specific recommendations which students felt would promote greater teacher effectiveness and improve learning. (Author/MLW)