As researchers and teachers, we have particular beliefs about the world and how it works, and about classrooms and how they work. Borg notes that "beliefs colour memories with their evaluation and judgment, and serve to frame our understanding of events" (Borg, 2001, p. 187). When already qualified teachers, in a TESOL graduate program,…

Clinical supervision represents a drastically different form of professional development for both teacher and supervisor. A Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) study of 332 educators reveals the need for prolonged training and a supervised internship for those who intend to practice clinical supervision. (MLF)

Presents a conceptual model for teacher supervision and staff development for both practitioners and researchers. Constructs can also be used to diagnose problems and plan appropriate strategies for professional improvement. The model offers researchers opportunities for analysis and hypothesis testing. Includes 16 references. (MLH)

Review of empirical research evaluating use of video technology in teacher training situations focuses on the demonstration and feedback phases of microteaching, discrimination training, and videotape feedback for teachers in actual school classrooms. The value of video technology in clinical and peer teacher supervision and naturalistic…

Contemporary authors' definitions of supervision suggest that in the American public school supervision evolved from four major conceptual foundations: (1) human concern, (2) leadership, (3) instructional improvement, and (4) administration. The categorization of definitions and explanations from 21 leading supervision authorities of the past 50…

Results of a study of practices and preferences in teacher supervision and evaluation in Maryland public schools are reported. The study surveyed supervisory practices in 24 local education agencies (LEA's) through a survey questionnaire and a literature search. The report identifies 18 key findings and issues relating to supervision, including…

Explores and examines the theoretical roots of supervisory practice with regard to field experiences in teacher education. Contends that most approaches to supervision are rooted in paradigms reflecting the perspectives of positivism, phenomenology, and critical theory. (MLF)

During a 1985 symposium in Chicago sponsored by the American Society for Curriculum Development, Noreen Garman, Carl Glickman, and Madeline Hunter discussed the question of whether clinical supervision should be used for formal evaluation and contract renewal. While Hunter's answer was a qualified "yes," Garman and Glickman both felt strongly that…

The research on supervision and school effectiveness suggests that principals acting as supervisors of instruction make a difference in teacher performance and pupil learning. This study investigated whether effective clinical supervision requires supervisors who practice certain strategies and procedures as they dialogue with supervisees, or…

Analysis of the responses to telephone and personal interviews by 21 teacher supervisors from six school districts in Pennsylvania revealed three possible patterns of direct supervision of teachers. "Nominal" supervision consists of voicing compliance with statutory requirements for observation of teaching, a clear focus on identifying…

This paper considers the kinds of interventions that elementary school principals make for the purpose of improving practice in their schools. Findings are derived from the Principal-Teacher Interaction Study being conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, which has categorized interventions hierarchically at the following levels: policy,…

Instructional evaluation by students is viewed as one of the main vehicles to improve teaching-learning processes in higher education. There is also a growing trend to use this information for administrative purposes such as tenure, promotion and merit pay. On the other hand, reviews of research show almost consistently that written feedback from…

This document reports on a review of the leadership literature, a cross-sectional correlation study, and a series of in-depth teacher interviews, all of which were parts of an effort to better understand the conditions under which a principal can lead. The correlation study makes use of S. Kerr's theory that the effect of the leader's behavior on…

Recent studies of the perceptions of teachers and supervisors about the benefits of teacher supervision show clear disagreement between the two groups. Supervisors see their efforts as helpful to teachers, whereas teachers consider supervision ineffectual. This document reports on research conducted to test the theory that positive…

This study, initiated by the Scarborough (Ontario) Board of Education, examines principals' perceptions of their role in curriculum implementation, the difficulties inherent in this role and the support systems available to assist principals, and the leadership component of the principals' role in curriculum implementation. Interviews, based on a…