This article explains principles of using a structured portfolio framework with elementary education majors in a special education survey course. Emphasis is on using portfolios to build positive attitudes toward working constructively with families of children with disabilities. Portfolio components are explained, students' opinions on portfolios…

A compilation of descriptions of graduate programs in the field of higher education is presented as prepared by the ASHE Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Learning. The report is based on a survey of the 92 directors of masters and doctoral programs in higher education in the United States and Canada. For each of 65 respondents, one-page…

Programs that have enhanced the teaching profession are described, as part of a competition sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (Showcase for Excellence Project). Member institutions of the association developed program models in seven categories requiring initiatives and innovation in the teaching profession.…

Presented are the findings of a survey of students who are, or have been, participants in the King Foundation Forgivable Loan Program in Texas for preservice secondary mathematics or science teachers. Data on the number of respondents in the program and not in the program, and their reasons for staying or leaving (that is, teaching mathematics or…

Thirteen hearing-impaired teenagers were paired with hearing undergraduate students from a deaf education program. Over 12 weeks, the pairs conversed using telecommunications devices for the deaf, and strategies were used to give the hearing-impaired students practice in language structures. A pretest-posttest procedure revealed improvements in…

Graduates of professional preparation programs in special education are followed up in order to know about the status of professionals who completed their training in programs receiving federal support from the Office of Special Education Programs Division of Personnel Preparation. This bulletin discusses graduate follow-up precondition criteria…

This descriptive study examined the interaction between 25 mentally retarded (MR) adult participants in a physical education setting and 51 physical education majors. The study was designed to identify and analyze the causal attributions of physical education majors concerning MR adults' motor performance, to identify and analyze the causal…

A teacher education policy is proposed by the education deans of 23 private and public universities to create an elite corps of elementary/secondary teachers rules out undergraduate education majors and requires a master's degree in education, a substantial internship, and in some cases, a specialized postgraduate degree. (MSE)

The new goals for teacher education proposed by the Holmes Group Consortium, the education deans of 23 research universities, concern the institutional environment, faculty, students, and professional curriculum. (MSE)

Students at West Virginia University pursuing teaching certification in special education in the areas of mental retardation, learning disabilities, or behavior disorders complete a practicum experience. As many of the students are off-campus in rural areas and are employed full-time in teaching positions, a heavy demand was created for…

Part of a series of position papers prepared by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), this pamphlet considers the need for extended teacher education programs. Seven alternative models of extended teacher preparation programs are described: (1) four-plus-one (B.A.); (2) four-plus-one (internship); (3) five-year (B.A.…

A proposal for developing models to enhance the teaching profession is described, along with the 1983-1984 activities of the Task Force on Excellence in Education of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The Task Force proposed that during the 1984-1985 academic year AASCU should conduct a competition among its…

To indicate areas for training program improvement, 476 prospective teachers responded to questions developed around educator-identified societal and educational trends to obtain self-analysis of preparation to meet future demands of the teaching role. Less than half felt adequately prepared; most placed heavy emphasis on the practicum component…

This module was developed to offer direction and knowledge of resource support to elementary school teacher educators. It offers suggested objectives and resources that will enable education students and beginning teachers to achieve competence in communication with parents and other adults. The module works from the assumption that preservice and…

The overall assessment of teacher education students by means of testing may not be the best indicator of competence in a professional field. Assessors must possess both valid and reliable ways of discerning which students have the necessary skills to be effective in the classroom. Portfolio analysis is one way to get better, more valid data about…