Argues that the application of competency-based education strategies have served to reduce the educator's role and marginalize teachers' commitment. Criticizes the British approach and describes alternative concepts. Recommends models of professionalism based on "expertise." (CFR)

This report provides policymakers and administrators in state departments of education and local education agencies, personnel developers in institutions of higher education, professional organizations representing different disciplines, and unions and other stakeholders with information they can build on to address issues and practices…

This paper argues that: (1) technology with its ability to individually tutor each child has rendered the blackboard classroom based on group teaching obsolete; (2) state leaders must provide the initiatives it will take for America to make the transition to the technology-driven classroom by the year 2000; and (3) a significant portion of the…

Based on an earlier study of approaches to training English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) and adult basic education (ABE) instructors, the current report draws implications and makes recommendations for delivering effective staff development. The five implications are that: (1) ABE and ESL teachers, volunteer instructors, and trainers will attend…

The study evaluated the referral for special education services of the Austin (Texas) Independent School District. Recommendations were made for streamlining the process, for improving the communication/interaction between regular and special education teachers, and for classroom instruction. Study results included the finding that referral is a…

Presented originally at four conferences (held during 1984-1985), the 12 invited papers contained in this document were part of a federally funded project, the National Network for Professional Development in Vocational Special Education. Project objectives included training of teacher educators in employment preparation for the handicapped,…

Designed to assist those involved with planning, organizing, and implementing computer use in schools, this checklist can be applied to: (1) assess the present state of instructional computer use in the district; (2) assist with the development of plans or guidelines for computer use; (3) support a start-up phase; and (4) monitor the…

The Middle Grades Mathematics Project (MGMP) has been an effort to produce exemplary mathematics curriculum units for grades six, seven, and eight, evaluate the compatibility of those units in classrooms, and to study the nature of the effort needed to help teachers to teach the units effectively in their classrooms. Each activity designed by MGMP…

The aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of modern mathematics in the primary schools of Somalia. In particular, three concerns were addressed: (1) teachers' confidence and ability in teaching mathematics; (2) students' interest in mathematics; and (3) students' examination performance in mathematics. Subjects were 30 teachers…

Discusses the role of science centers in science education and teacher training. Traces the history of science centers and describes some of the new programmatic thrusts of such facilities. Addresses the raising of standards for science centers. (TW)

This report examines what has been learned from the efforts of the Urban Network to Improve Teacher Education (UNITE) efforts to inform state policy. UNITE originated in 1993 with nine urban partnerships between urban schools and colleges of education and their urban K-12 counterparts. Their mission is strengthening the recruitment, preparation,…

Virginia has 36 criminal justice training academies, including 10 regional academies. The academies conduct entry-level, inservice, and specialized training for law enforcement officers, jailers, and other criminal justice personnel. In 1998, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) was directed to review the quality, consistency,…

This proceedings document from a conference on the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD), which is authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), offers perspectives provided by Martha J. Fields and Thomas Hehir, on reauthorization of the IDEA. A discussion of the topic of paradigm shifts in staff development…

This report presents the Prichard Committee recommendations on professional development of Kentucky teachers. They are based on the results of a steering committee of Kentucky educators and are being implemented in a Pew Charitable Trusts project. The overall finding was that for school reform to succeed in Kentucky, greatly enhanced professional…

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Mathematics and Science Education Program is the largest federal program for training elementary and secondary teachers in mathematics and science. It has two major components: the national program provides funding for projects of national significance and the state grant program allocates 75% of the funds to different…