This article explains how elementary teachers can link performance-based assessments and student self-assessments to the curriculum for improved learning. It provides graphic organizers, rubrics, and examples of student writings, and discusses ways to connect assessment and instruction, benefits for students (feedback and instruction), and…

The author recounts his experience as a Fulbright Scholar in the Department of Special Education at National Changhua University of Education (NCUE) in Changhua, Taiwan, during the fall of 2003. Several aspects of his experience are highlighted, including teaching foreign college students, learning Mandarin, conducting workshops, and consulting…

Although teacher learning and collaboration are repeatedly linked to school improvement, surprisingly little is known about the facet of collaboration involving the dissemination or sharing of teacher knowledge; that is, what teachers share, why and with whom they share it, or how and when they share what they have learned. This article describes…

Coaching took a different form in this South Dakota school when teachers' own classes were the setting for their professional learning. Teachers had the chance to watch what others could do with their classes, as well as to be watched. The chance to observe led to greater reflection and self-generated change.

Beginning in September, 2001 when the Portland Public Schools received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Urban Systemic Program (USP) initiative, the district focused, accelerated and strengthened its efforts to improve mathematics and science education K-12. Since its inception the authors at Inverness Research…

The current accountability movement has focused on academic achievement but has circumvented issues of motivation and authentic reading materials. Many educators have challenged this direction of the reading curriculum, particularly criticizing the narrowing of the curriculum, the continued focus of teaching to the tests, the overemphasis on…

This study was designed to supporting teachers on developing teaching norms based on classroom-learning community in which students are willing to engage in discourse. A collaborative team consisting of the researcher and four second-grade teachers were set up. The collaborative community intended to generate norms of acceptable or appropriate…

Addressing what teachers can do to prepare high school students to write effectively in college, this book presents 15 narratives and studies suggesting that secondary-postsecondary partnerships and exchanges can significantly improve students' ability to succeed at college-level writing tasks. Essays in section I, Trading Places, are: (1)…

This article includes the contents of a paper presented at the 1999 National Staff Development Conference, then summarizes data collected from attendees of that conference session in response to a written survey distributed and completed during the session. The conference session explained that paraeducators require training, but there is concern…

To date, most of the literature on the use of cohort groups in teacher education has focused on the benefits and limitations of the use of cohorts within teacher education programs. This study extends this knowledge base by exploring the sources of these underlying tensions by soliciting qualitative reflections of faculty. The purposes of this…

The author provides information on how science teachers can write science literacy objectives that help English language learners (ELLs) develop the scientific literacy needed for academic success in the science classroom. The article offers suggestions on how teachers can determine the vocabulary, language functions, and sentence structures that…

The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of teacher learning in a cohort-based, master's degree program in curriculum and pedagogy that was intentionally designed to be responsive to teachers' personal needs and preferences. The program aimed to: (1) provide teachers with the confidence to connect what they do in their classrooms to…

This fastback provides practical information to help teachers better fulfill their roles in the mentoring process. The first section, "Introduction," explains the importance of the mentoring relationship. The second section, "Characteristics of a Good Mentor," highlights four core concepts: a mentor leads through example, a mentor leads through…

This book provides a collection of strategies for teaching leadership. It includes the creative use of films, classics, and fiction in teaching leadership; teaching leadership to specific audiences; team teaching and collaboration; and assessing outcomes. Following are the chapter titles and authors: "Blockbuster Leadership: Teaching Leadership…

Describes four models for grouping in cooperative teaching settings with a regular and a special educator. Common coteaching issues such as grading and classroom management are addressed. Charts provide a framework for lesson planning in coteaching settings. (DB)