Describes a study of an antiracist professional development course designed to help white educators recognize personal, cultural, and institutional manifestations of racism and become more proactive against racism in their schools. Analysis of participants' written assignments indicated that over half took meaningful antiracist actions following…

Over 100,000 teachers and 200,000 students are physically assaulted each year. Teachers must be prepared to deal with school violence. Suggestions for defusing potentially violent situations include appear calm, observe closely, speak carefully, don't lie, ask appropriate questions, avoid confrontational language and actions, and separate the…

Examines the urgent need to establish a conceptualization of teaching as professional practice that is characterized by ethical values, autonomous pragmatism, and pursuit of expertise. Suggests that conceptual, psychological, and epistemological weaknesses prevent England's current national vocational qualifications from accounting for these…

Evaluation frames offer a practical, adaptable site-based staff development approach that serves as a vehicle for clarifying needs and planning. Evaluation frames within staff development empower teachers to define and design innovations around their unique experiences. The paper describes the method and presents a sample staff development…

Suggests that it is time to increase the professional status of teaching by demonstrating to society that the differences between teaching and more traditional professions are not about gender. There must be positive social construction that allows women access to their rightful place among all levels of organizational hierarchy. (SM)

An eighth-grade teacher implemented several Total Quality Management methods in his social studies (civics) class in the middle of the academic school year. Using diagrams, he taught students ways to organize their work, generate ideas, and solve problems. Using student involvement, he developed ways to help students solve their homework problem.…

Discusses the use of teaching portfolios and portfolio-based conversations with colleagues to enhance teacher effectiveness, presenting a portfolio conversation guide that highlights the importance of conducting the sessions properly, organizing an appropriate group, and focusing on specific portfolio contents. Implications for teacher education…

A unique, successful staff development program in three Louisville (Kentucky) middle schools provides opportunities for teachers of disadvantaged students to build pedagogical skills. The High5 Project promotes strategies for realizing high expectations, content, support, energy, and involvement. The paper examines change strategies and discusses…

Examines factors contributing to decline in African-American teachers in southeast Georgia through interviews with 285 African-American elementary school and secondary school teachers and 27 additional African-American subjects, largely college students (16). Reasons only 20 percent would enter teaching if they could start careers again are…

Studies student attitudes and teacher influence on educational outcomes among 137 undergraduates attending the University of California at Los Angeles. The existence of a grade-point-average perspective (emphasis on good grades over critical and analytical learning) is confirmed, and the influence of teachers on this perspective and educational…

Aspects of physical education teacher education that 12 participants reported were instrumental in developing understanding of and commitment to a movement approach (constructivist and developmental approach) are described. Coursework gave students a broader context for interpreting field experiences, whereas learning through doing exemplified and…

By law, students with disabilities must have individualized education plans. Physical educators should get involved in making these plans. The paper discusses how they can get involved, how to deal with time constraints which make it difficult to attend teamings, and how to stay involved through open lines of communication. (SM)

Using music, story, and prayer, this conference presentation describes the African American spiritual experience with curriculum, explaining what African American spirituality is, who African Americans are, why spirituality is critical to African Americans, and where this spirituality is found, then linking it to education. (SM)

Data from interviews with Finnish secondary school teachers and students and student essays that examined teacher authority and moral dilemmas indicated that the most problematic conflicts related to teacher-determined punishment. Teachers used manipulative means to control classroom life. Their education had not prepared them to handle situations…

A survey of 188 graduate students in 28 German programs investigated students' perceptions of their own professional development for teaching or work in business or government. It examined career goals, the importance of and participation in professional development activities, relationship with advisor/mentor on professional development issues,…