This article examines various policy responses to the need for more mathematics and science teachers and discusses characteristics of alternative teacher preparation programs. A program model for alternative certification of math and science teachers, developed at Texas A & M University, is presented along with lessons from its implementation.…

Twenty-three second-year education students at Charles Sturt University (New South Wales) participated in a three-week practicum program at remote rural schools. Participants offered generally positive comments about the value of the teaching and living experience and willingness to teach in such schools in the future. (SV)

The founder of "Teach for America," a nonprofit organization to recruit capable but undirected college seniors for a two-year commitment to teaching, has successfully brought in a corps of graduates with a high level of commitment, academic excellence, varied skills, and a better minority representation to teach in difficult-to-staff…

Reports on a study of 811 African American high school students to determine what proportion identified music teachers as role models. Finds that 36% of the subjects identified a music teacher as a role model. Suggests that the findings highlight the need to recruit more minority teachers into music education. (CFR)

The hiring practices of Harvard University are examined as they relate to the argument that black college faculty members are not available because there are no blacks in the "pipeline" of Ph.D.s. This spurious defense is an anachronism that must be reexamined in considering racial diversity at America's universities. (SLD)

Identifies causes of the imminent faculty shortage. Discusses the concomitant challenge of achieving faculty demographics that resemble student demographics. Proposes that community colleges address both problems by recruiting talented minority students into the teaching profession via an incentive program. Underscores the importance of…

Techniques to help attract minorities to vocational education teaching include (1) developing candidate pools; (2) increasing awareness of vocational education as a career opportunity; (3) establishing minority scholarships; (4) recruiting at community colleges and in business/industry; (5) mentoring minority students; and (6) establishing…

Explores ethnic diversity in the teaching force, questioning whether it is desirable. Information is presented from a 1990 conference, "Staffing Texas Schools with an Ethnically Diverse Teaching Force," which focused on recruitment and retention of minority teachers and developed recommendations to enhance cultural diversity in the…

Corporate community involvement programs are described: (1) Days' Inn's efforts to employ homeless persons; (2) Rockwell International's recruitment of its retirees as secondary science and math teachers; (3) Wells Fargo Bank's provision of social service leave time for employees; and (4) IBM's Project A Plus, a business-education collaborative to…

Former dean reflects on experiences as dean at a college of education, noting dilemmas colleges face in creating a mission. The article discusses central activities for deans: educating faculty and administrators, compiling data, building development funds, and hiring faculty. It also addresses problems and prospects for deans in the 1990s. (SM)

Presents portraits of six parents who became involved as avocational teachers in synagogue schools. Traces avocational teachers' public commitment to school and personal renewal as Jews. Provides a closer look at the powerful impact that teaching and learning had on participants' views of themselves and their relationship to Jewish texts. (DSK)

Examines the demographic forces fueling the teacher shortage in public elementary and secondary schools, the trend toward state adoption of teacher-performance standards, and federal-policy trends in teacher education and licensing. Argues that because of the decline in tenure-track positions in higher education, doctorate-holders might be an…

A survey of 558 teachers in rural schools and districts in British Columbia explored influences on teachers' decisions to enter, remain in, or leave their districts. Important factors in career decisions were the job itself, lifestyle, school district recruiters, financial compensation, social and recreational opportunities, and partner's job. (KS)

Discusses the salaries provided to principals, superintendents, and elementary/secondary teachers in Catholic schools. Points out that the national average salary for a Catholic elementary school teacher with a bachelor's degree is $19,047, compared with a public elementary school teacher's salary of $41,351. Offers strategies for improving…

Investigated how the America Reads Challenge might help recruit tutors to the teaching profession. Focus groups and surveys of college tutors in urban settings indicated that they enjoyed the experience and believed it increased and confirmed their desire to teach. Most felt that their previous beliefs about urban classrooms changed after this…