Montana rural special educators (109) answering a questionnaire indicated 40% of rural/isolated classrooms are not complying with the law requiring interdisciplinary teams to educate handicapped students. In many schools one special education teacher serves as interdisciplinary team/total service provider. Teacher training programs should be…

Analyzes current education reform in Japan. Develops historical background, examining major educational reforms since 1868. Presents the National Council on Education Reform's stated objectives. Discusses lifelong learning, individuality (rather than standardization) in education and the reform movement's guiding principles responding to…

Contends that, in the last decade, there has been increased respect for teachers' practical theories about teaching and learning. Discusses preservice art teacher education and aspects of reflective teaching. Describes the use of student journals in an art methods course and presents quotes from the journals. (CFR)

Part 1 of this article discusses changes in Japanese teacher education since 1949, particularly the arrangement and reorganization of teacher education universities and faculties and the establishment of graduate schools of education. Part 2 presents findings from three studies that examine the psychological adjustment of teacher education…

An integrated mathematics/science elementary methods course was developed as part of Connecticut's statewide systemic initiative. Considers: (1) What does integration mean? (2) What content should be taught? and (3) How should it be taught? Implementation team included an exemplary elementary teacher. Appendix presents a sample integrated lesson.…

Asserts that the purpose of New York State's testing program has been to drive instruction, provide a measure of public accountability, and establish and maintain achievement standards. Describes new approaches to student assessment and explains the eight goals of the new statewide assessment program. (CFR)

Highlights issues in teaching art curriculum courses in preservice teacher education. Discusses student self-confidence and conditions that are barriers to active engagement in art activities. Describes how preservice art teachers can develop personal autonomy and become reflective teachers. (CFR)

Discusses the gap between teaching theory and practice in the context of teacher education reform. Argues that radical reforms without an understanding of current issues and problems are a mistake. Concludes that a teaching competency model that situates teaching in its social context would be more appropriate. (CFR)

Examines the impact of Texas' student competency testing (done before admission to teacher education programs and teacher certification) on faculty ethnic composition. Statistics indicate only 5 percent of American teachers will be minorities in 2000. Recruitment and retention of minorities in teacher education and development of nondiscriminatory…

Given that mathematics is the essence of scientific and rational thinking, and that mathematics is the imprinter of both modern society and modern thought, implicit curricular proposals for both pre- and in-service mathematics teacher training are suggested for the revitalized teacher promotion of students' just and democratic behaviors. (JJK)

To examine the hypothesis that alternative routes to teacher certification are more likely than traditional routes to recruit successful urban school teachers, beliefs and practices of 45 secondary English and mathematics novice teachers from both routes were studied. Findings confirm the importance of teacher sensitivity to urban multicultural…

A survey about inclusion of children with disabilities in early-childhood settings was responded to by 172 parents, practicing professionals in early-childhood programs, university-based trainers, and preservice students. Professional competence and importance of skills were rated for five domains: (1) working with families, (2) performance-based…

To examine how childhood memories and social stereotypes influence the identities and voices of emerging teachers, this study analyzed student teachers' and experienced teachers' drawings of teachers, exploring stereotypes and contradictions in teacher identity and practice and focusing on images of teacher control and nurturing. (SM)

This article discusses the value of professional portfolios, describes how they are used in a five-year Canadian teacher preparation program, and includes criteria for assessing student teacher portfolios. Findings from two surveys of superintendents indicate that, overall, including a portfolio among an applicant's credentials can enhance the…

This commentary discusses some of the challenges teacher education programs face in preparing teachers for working with students with disabilities. Trends toward making teacher education more authentic, increasing opportunities for practicum experiences, and focusing on the abilities of teacher candidates to achieve student learning are…