A common problem faced by new teachers is lack of supervisory support and learning on the job through trial and error can often dishearten the rookie enough to abandon the job and often the profession. Suggestions are offered on how to redress this problem and a starting point could be the implementation of what the Alliance for Excellent…

The increased movement of psychologists away from academic settings requires the integration of socially relevant activities into psychology graduate programs. It is important for students in practicum programs to get access to applied opportunities and to function ethically in those opportunities. Getting access has been achieved in several ways.…

Clinical supervision should not be construed as "delivery of services" to targeted audiences of teachers deemed inexperienced, inefficient, or incompetent. Supervision should instead empower and emancipate teachers by creating conditions under which they can examine classroom actions in terms of the historical, social, and cultural…

Outlines a fictitious but ideal school in which staff work cooperatively and are encouraged to develop their talents. (MD)

To be effective the psychology practicum must meet the needs and goals of the individual student, the community agency sponsoring the practicum, and the psychology department. Common student practicum goals are examined, and organizing and administering the practicum program are discussed. (RM)

A discussion of the distinctions made between teacher training (preservice) and development (inservice) focuses on these issues in the context of supervision of teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL). Knowledge from the larger field of education is applied to the interactions of teacher and supervisor. The supervisor's role is seen from…

School bus driver behavior and motivation are continuing concerns for leaders/administrators in the field of transportation. Motivation begins with selection of a potential new driver. Drivers must like children and be patient, loyal, and punctual. The applicant's background must be verified, in view of the national concern for child safety.…

A technique for starting college students on research paper projects is outlined. The approach, requiring students to begin with a five-minute writing exercise that can form the nucleus of a longer, more intellectually demanding paper involving library work, is felt to stimulate critical thinking and minimize plagiarism. Phased report development…

Discusses the lack of teacher training provided for teaching assistants in history departments. Argues that emphasis on research and publication is misplaced because most new Ph.D.s will be teaching rather than publishing. Urges teacher training to prepare graduate students for their chosen profession and to improve undergraduate education. (DK)

Considers the role of the cooperating teacher in the student teaching experience. Examines the preliminary interview, lesson planning, assimilation, teaching as a team, evaluation, and suggesting improvements. Discusses the importance of self-evaluation and cooperation within the triad of student teacher, college supervisor, and cooperating…

Argues for the use of colleague mentors to increase retention rates among new teachers. Describes mentors' role as offering emotional support, suggestions about effective instruction, and information on the mores of the school community. Identifies characteristics of good mentors. Stresses the importance of shared decision making in teacher…

Collaboration between a supervisor and a teacher of nine first and second graders with hearing loss is recounted. Discussion includes reconsideration of classroom setup, expansion of the reading program to include more guided reading, documentation of student progress, more guided writing, and more shared decision making. (DB)

Guidelines of the Southern College of Optometry (Tennessee) for development and administration of student externships are outlined and discussed, including principles addressing the setting of aims, goals, and objectives; preceptor (supervisor) and site selection; preceptor training; assignment of externships; and evaluation of students,…

A professor of educational psychology describes the goals of research in progress on the personal characteristics of expert teachers, compares classroom management techniques of expert teachers with those of beginning and student teachers, and criticizes existing teacher evaluation systems for their lack of uniform standards and experienced…

Reviews "Standards for the Preparation of Social Studies Teachers," published by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). Maintains that the document does not vary far from current practice and that it bases teacher preparation on content from history and social science courses. Argues that more emphasis on learning theory and…