Presents an analysis of the concept of "teacher participation in school decision making," a set of empirically based hypotheses concerning the current scope and extent of teacher participation, and an outline for a systematic program of research that could provide information for policy development concerning teacher participation.…

A study of public school teachers in Iowa assessed their interest and involvement in participatory decision making at the classroom, building, and district levels. The strongest correlations found linked the teacher's sex and the educational level at which they taught with the types of participation in which they were involved. (PGD)

Student behavior problems have been a focus of social concern since the mid-1960s. Although there have been few studies on the long-term effects of interventions on student behaviors, the specialization of classroom management and school discipline has grown. Changes and unresolved issues in student behavior problems are discussed. (DF)

Examines the needs and direction of skills of 40 early childhood teachers. Educators in preschool education settings were interviewed and given a questionnaire with 24 items that addressed skill areas of the preservice teacher. A variety of skill areas were identified as extremely important. (RJC)

Asserts that teacher research can provide a missing dimension to the knowledge base for teaching. Discusses critical issues of institutionalization and methodological rigor that make it difficult for teachers to conduct research studies and for the university community to acknowledge the value of teacher research. (FMW)

This paper questions the assumption that junior faculty should write grant proposals and administer grants. It notes some pitfalls related to engaging in grantsmanship as a new faculty member. It then offers suggestions on grant proposal development, including have a positive attitude, manage time carefully, emphasize quality, and consider the…

This study examined the practices of 321 special education teachers with responsibility for supervising paraprofessionals. Teachers reported little preparation for supervision; most were not involved in hiring but were responsible for evaluation; most provided oral, not written instructions; few held regular meetings with paraprofessionals; and…

This article addresses issues in successful classroom research, especially single-subject research, including selecting the research topic, choosing a research design, maintaining a sufficient number of participants, management and logistical problems, creating classroom conditions favorable to research, and scheduling time for research. (DB)

This paper provides a critical review essay of Ajay Sharma's "Portrait of a science teacher as a bricoleur: A case study from India." The main focus is two fold. First, arguments are presented to draw attention to how little advances in science teaching and science learning research have impacted teachers' practice and student…

Considers two basic models of the teaching-learning process, described as the didactic and the communication models, and applies them to computer assisted learning. Conventional and intelligent tutorials and simulation are used as examples to compare the amount of control students have over learning strategy, content manipulation, and domain…

The paper summarizes results from two Illinois studies on the roles of educational personnel (n=420) employed in special programs for infants/toddlers and three- to five-year-olds, and evaluates preservice training needs of these personnel. Time spent in various roles and perceptions of ideal emphasis on role areas during preservice are discussed.…

This report details an exploratory study that employs qualitative methods to characterize the academic language used by teachers and students in 4th and 5th grade mainstream science classrooms. Teacher oral language, and to some degree student talk, was observed during content instruction. This type of data allows for a broad descriptive…

In this paper, in response to Ajay Sharma's paper titled "Portrait of a science teacher as a bricoleur: A case study from India" and associated reviews, I address the value of bridging two narrative styles for describing teacher development, discuss questions of over-essentializing an Indian school context, propose that teacher and…

A comprehensive theory of instruction is needed that (1) acknowledges the centrality of communication to instruction; (2) recognizes that instruction involves changes in student knowledge, affect, and behavior; and (3) reflects a systematic orientation to instruction. The literature in diffusion, particularly in the area of the communication of…

The factors that influence the formation and development of teacher perspectives among preservice social studies teachers were studied. Answers were sought to two questions: (1) what linkages exist between the development of teacher perspectives and the experiences provided by university teacher education?; and (2) what role does the individual…