While teacher learning has become a locus of school reform across many international settings, there is relatively little examination of the idiosyncratic ways in which policy discourses on teacher learning are enacted in schools. In this paper, we aim to investigate how these policy discourses are translated and configured into practices and…

A clear, well defined policy can help empower school personnel to make informed decisions on how to handle cases of suspected child abuse. This article presents an analysis of (N = 64) school board child abuse reporting policies and procedures in Ontario and explored what training, resources, and support school boards state they will provide to…

In a recent publication, Senge ("All systems go: the change imperative for whole system reform." Corwin Press, Thousand Oaks, 2010, x) stated "at no time in history has there been a more powerful need for a new vision of the purpose of education." Increasingly citizens, academics and practitioners are calling for radical…

Based on a qualitative case study that examined elementary teachers' understandings of a professional development policy, we question the conceptual disconnection between professional learning and professional practices in some conceptualizations of professional learning communities. We analyse the research data using Actor-Network Theory and…

This policy brief examines standards-based approaches that hold promise for shaping a common vision of skilled teaching commensurate with the national goal of preparing all students for college and careers. Numerous studies confirm that teachers are the most significant school-based factor in improving student achievement, particularly for the…

Increments in educational budgets have been devoted to professional development for teachers to help them accommodate their practices to the realities of their classrooms. Previous research has suggested that despite this significant investment, there has been little, if any, positive change. This begs the question of what else might be done to…

Reviews continuing professional educational requirements for Alberta teachers as outlined in proposed and existing policies. Discusses current state of the art in continuing professional education for teachers and considers actions to provide a more solid basis for continuing professional education in Alberta in the future. (NEC)

Ethnic politics, international influences and a quest for truth may be the unlikely combination that forced Canadian schooling to soften its British orientation for an emphasis upon social education required for a highly diversified society. Traces these influences from the latter part of the nineteenth century to the present. (Author/RK)

This paper focuses on Alberta, Canada's 1998 "Teacher Growth, Supervision and Evaluation" policy, examining its origins and adoption along with the significant shift in images of teaching and supervision that it conveys. Both the process and substance of the policy are analyzed within the context of Alberta's larger plan to restructure…

British Columbia's systemwide educational reform efforts enable teachers to engage in classroom-based research while building a learner-focused curriculum. This article describes the province's teacher research efforts, underlining important implications for educational policy. Teacher research permitted teachers to honor schools' educative…

This document reviews research on the implementation by teachers of new classroom procedures. The document also traces trends in methods for encouraging instructional innovation as these trends were influenced by the research findings. The report begins with an account of the curriculum reform movement, which featured nonteaching experts telling…

This report provides the second year update to the Alberta (Canada) government's 3-year plan to restructure the province's education system. Key strategies for improving teaching are put forth, including: updating teacher preparation and certification requirements to reflect the most current understanding of effective teaching; establishing…

A survey was made across Canada of English-language preservice training programs for teachers who will be certified to teach, among others, children enrolled in an early childhood program the year prior to compulsory education. The primary focus of this initial study was on describing current practices. Information was collected through a series…

Examines survey responses from 218 U.S. and Canadian sociology departments on the nature of teacher training for graduate students. Reveals that teacher training is consistently subordinated to research skills instruction. Posits a concurring devaluation of teaching among sociologists. Includes survey instrument, schools queried, and statistical…

This document contains eight papers on adult learning and literacy research and practice. "The Year 1999 in Review" (Dave Speights) presents an overview of adult learning and literacy research funding, policy, and activities in 1999. "Making Sense of Critical Pedagogy in Adult Literacy Education" (Sophie C. Degener) details a…