Alternative programs for students desiring to obtain secondary teacher certification were compared for cost-effectiveness and for instructional effects. Relative performance of education and non-education majors was judged by the cognitive gain made by their pupils during the student teaching experience. Costs were determined by a variety of…

Examines how an alternative certification program for secondary teachers was developed and implemented to address local teacher shortages in mathematics and science in Texas. Topics discussed are the policy context, course offerings, the recruitment and selection process, developing an applicant pool, screening of applicants, and placement of…

This study was conducted to determine differences between: (1) supervisors' ratings of instructional competencies of education majors and non-education majors in a semester of student teaching; and (2) evaluations by education majors and non-education majors of their morale during a student teacher program. Data were collected during one semester…

"Accelerate Online/OPTIONS" is a three component program for certifying secondary mathematics and science teachers in Texas. "Accelerate Online/OPTIONS" provides those possessing or pursuing science degrees with an online program of education that can be completed in 12-18 months. The On-line Curriculum consists of 35 online…

A research program has been initiated at Texas A&M University College of Education to collect, analyze, and interpret data from a diagnostic prescriptive teacher preparation program. The project was undertaken to create a substantial data file containing multiple measures of learner attainment information that will provide alternatives for…

Two questions were addressed in this study: (1) Is learner cognitive attainment stable across different instructional units taught by a student teacher? and (2) Do the pupils of student teachers who are education majors attain more cognitive performance objectives than the pupils of student teachers who are not education majors? Secondary level…

University supervisors' evaluations of student teachers were assessed to determine if the cognitive attainment of pupils taught by the student teachers was a rating factor. The sample consisted of 82 secondary level student teachers participating in a competency based teacher education program. Data collected for the study included a summary…

This paper examines how selected characteristics of a program and attributes of key actors affected a particular collaborative effort to increase the supply of secondary math and science teachers. A funded grant created the need for collaborative linkage between schools and a university which had no prior experience with joint efforts. Elements of…

Two alternative programs for students seeking secondary school teacher certification were compared for cost effectiveness. The most pronounced difference between individuals majoring in education and non-majors seeking teacher certification while completing degree requirements in their chosen field is the number of required semester hours of…

This study investigated the relationship between the academic background of student teachers and the performance of their students in a secondary school field site. Three assessment models were used to determine the following: (1) whether student academic performance is influenced by the teaching field of the student teacher; (2) whether the…

A state department of education funded 14 Centers for Professional Development and Technology (CPDTs) to establish teacher preparation programs that are technology enhanced and field based. The restructured programs were required to be collaboratively developed, with classroom teachers comprising the largest single constituency group. This paper…