Examines the efforts, in four European countries, to increase the professionalization of teacher training. France recently elevated the status of teachers to civil servants and strengthened certification procedures. Germany retains a high degree of academic excellence and professional training. England and Wales have increased local autonomy and…

A University of London (England) study investigated attitudes of 282 graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) concerning teaching skill instruction they receive. Pre-workshop surveys over three years found a consistent pattern of anxieties and problems. Workshops were provided to address these concerns. The workshops used brainstorming, simulation,…

Reports on a small-scale study that examined deficiencies in pre-service geography teachers' subject knowledge. The British pre-service teachers were all studying for Post Graduate Certificates in Education and answered questions regarding their subject knowledge and educational background. Documents definite weaknesses and identifies areas for…

This article describes how workshop sessions have attempted to help teachers from one curriculum area develop their diagnostic skills to use in assessment for learning. The approach uses the metaphor of the teacher-as-learning-doctor to encourage teachers to think about the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of learning "bugs". The…

Twenty-five recent graduates of a Master's Program in Early Childhood Special Education participated in focus group interviews designed to explore their perceptions and experiences regarding their first years of practice in urban schools. Findings revealed that participants faced many challenges including collaboration with colleagues, seeking…

To offer students biological field experiences, teachers should use their own basic skills, be enthusiastic motivators, participate in community programs/courses/workshops to acquire additional skills/knowledge for outdoor biological education, plan outdoor excursions with safety considerations in mind, and use available resources for classroom…

Examined changes in teachers' beliefs and practices after using video to enhance self-evaluation and guided reflection within a field-based course. Data from a teaching-belief survey, videotapes of teaching episodes, videotapes of post-teaching episodes, and a videotaped portfolio presentation indicated that participants came to view teaching as a…

One hundred sixteen rural general educators participated in an innovative 10-week training to learn instructional and behavioral strategies for working with students with disabilities in inclusive settings. Pre/post self-assessments of teaching skills showed significant improvements after training; elementary educators self-rated their skills…

A study was conducted of 255 Chicago teachers (132 general, 91 special education, and 32 other school personnel) at elementary, middle, and high school levels to measure attitudes towards inclusive classrooms. Findings indicated the general education teachers were less knowledgeable about special education law, less skillful in working with…

The field of special education has been consistently plagued with serious personnel shortages, high rates of teacher attrition, criticisms of inadequate teacher preparation, and questionable student outcomes. The recent focus on increased standards and improved student outcomes adds complexity to this situation. Of paramount concern are the need…

This study investigated elementary grade teachers' personal experience with instructional computing in classroom instruction and depicts the causes of comfort or discomfort among teachers in using computers at elementary grade teaching. The specific study involved ten elementary grade teachers from randomly selected schools in Western New York.…

Drawing inspiration from Shulman's (1986) construct of pedagogical content knowledge, we propose that leadership content knowledge is a missing paradigm in the analysis of school and district leadership. After defining leadership content knowledge as that knowledge of academic subjects that is used by administrators when they function as…

A rapid ethnograhic study of 10 itinerant teachers in two school districts and 21 other professionals working with the itinerants was conducted. Rapid ethnography starts with the same assumptions about culture as conventional ethnography. However, it is not constrained by the assumption of cultural ignorance on the investigator's part. Thus, it…

This study examines whether two online courses offering educational support for junior faculty have a positive effect on their attitudes to learning and curriculum and teaching capacities (CTC). The data used in the analysis are from two 2005 online university training courses. The tasks the online courses assign to faculty, the resources they…

Argues that middle school educators and administrators need professional preparation specific to middle school students' unique social, emotional, and educational needs. Focuses on the importance of the principal to gain appropriate training and foster professional staff preparation and development. Contains recommendations for creating…