The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework posits that a collaborative online teaching and learning process can be achieved through three interdependent dimensions of presence: cognitive presence, social presence, and teaching presence. Emotion is considered an important factor in successful online learning. This study explored non-traditional…

There is value in being a lifelong reader and writer; yet, preservice teachers frequently do not exhibit these attributes. As an educator of future teachers, the author of this article reflects on practice. One goal in working with these education students is to develop their competencies in the use of literary strategies, with a secondary goal of…

Distance learning may pose challenges to students in terms of satisfaction and academic success. This study examined the relationship between the final grade received in a distance learning course and the student characteristic of gender. Examined were differences in online course achievement between male and female students through the lens of…

This brief is the first in a series of reports examining the teacher shortage dilemma. It considers what the research says about teacher shortages and highlights recent state task force findings. Designed to guide state leaders in policy decisions, the briefs that follow examine five strategies states are using to address shortages: (1)…

This article is a mixed-methods exploration of the levels of stereotypic views about gifted individuals held by current and future educators. Because educators are often asked to provide recommendations for participation in gifted programs, it is important to determine whether those recommendations are based, in part, on stereotypic thinking.…

According to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (2004), the United States is lacking 41,141 certified special educators. Texas is no exception to the national trend; in Texas alone, there is a shortage of 5,024 certified special educators (U.S. Department of Special Education). Any successful remediation of this…

This research study involved the identification and categorization of critical incidents related to individuals who completed the teacher education program but did not teach in public school classrooms. The methodology of the study followed the guidelines put forth by John Flanagan's critical incident technique. This study was conducted during the…

To receive a Texas elementary teacher certification, all elementary education majors must demonstrate a basic understanding of music and perform minimal musical skills. In addition, students should be able to write and teach music lessons built around the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Music. These Music TEKS are focused on four…

All teacher education students in Texas must pass three minimum competency examinations to be admitted to a teacher education program. The Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) contains three separate tests in reading, mathematics, and writing. West Texas State University requires all entering freshmen to submit scores from the American College…

A study of 188 Texas education majors suggests that ACT (American College Testing) scores and GPA are reliable predictors of success on the PPST (Pre-Professional Skills Test) and the ExCET (Examination for Certification of Educators in Texas). Implications for teacher educators are considered. (IAH)

The increase in school-age population and the decline in the supply of teacher personnel in Texas are soundly documented and seem destined to reach crisis proportions by fall 1983. (CJ)

Social studies teachers at all levels are confused about the nature and purpose of social studies. Pre-service teachers (260) enrolled in undergraduate methods courses in four universities (University of Maine, Auburn University, Texas Tech University, Eastern Montana College) were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the purpose of social…

Ten graduates and 3 ABD (all but dissertation) students in Lamar University's doctoral program in deaf studies/deaf education were surveyed about their perceptions of the benefits of earning a doctorate of education (Ed.D.) in their field. The program comprised course work on current content information on deaf education, an educational research…

This journal issue focuses on the role of the community college in training K-12 teachers. The chapters included in this volume are as follows: (1) "Community College Roles in Teacher Education: Current Approaches and Future Possibilities," by Townsend and Ignash; (2) "Transfer Issues in Preservice Undergraduate Teacher Education…

Presented are the findings of a survey of students who are, or have been, participants in the King Foundation Forgivable Loan Program in Texas for preservice secondary mathematics or science teachers. Data on the number of respondents in the program and not in the program, and their reasons for staying or leaving (that is, teaching mathematics or…