This commentary highlights findings from two reviews of research on the preparation and continuing development of regular classroom teachers to teach English language learners. Since both reviews use my "central tasks of teacher learning" framework, the commentary also assesses the framework's usefulness in highlighting areas where…

This article challenges the overemphasis in early childhood education on young children's development and its relative inattention to their learning. The author argues that learning leads cognitive development, and that early childhood educators should be more centered on teaching for learning and less on facilitating development. An alternative…

Studies have shown that teacher quality is the single greatest factor affecting student achievement. However, it is not simply enough to recruit highly qualified candidates and place them into the schools where they are needed the most; the United States needs a system to support and retain these teachers. This essay posits that school districts…

Research evidence suggests that there are natural variations in children's learning, many of which can be categorized by age and sex. Educators must become knowledgeable about brain growth and its curricular implications. (SK)

Discusses various aspects of faculty productivity. The article examines reasons why some faculty don't publish: opposition to the publish-or-perish pressure, commitment to teaching, insufficient time, and inadequate incentives. The author then describes characteristics of productive faculty and presents a model for professional development. (CT)

Conceptual ambiguity surrounds notions of gifted and talented; justification for talent development is often linked with rejection of the term gifted. Talent development should mean identification of those who show superior natural abilities as well as aptitudes for a particular domain and emphasis on developing those special skills. (SK)

Factors affecting creativity are environment, personality and motivational traits, biographical characteristics, and creative abilities. Creativity stems from both nature and nurture. (SK)

England's Summerhill School is an alternative school based on child-centered philosophies involving, freedom, love of children, and natural development. A recent television program generated negative publicity that could endanger its future prospects. (SK)

Sets forth a theory of social development (represented by Maslow), a theory of moral development (represented by Kohlberg), and then synthesizes these theories to develop a set of student needs and teaching techniques for each stage of social and moral development. (CT)

Provides a theoretical and philosophical model for values education based on the work of Martin Buber. Reviews six steps that intercede between the initial meeting of teacher and student and the latter's formation of his/her values construction. (LRA)

The author discusses how theory and practical action work together to maintain teachers' professional vitality. She examines the current concern with models and their influence on perception of reality. The author states that good paradigms bring more precision to professional practice, allow more accurate predictions, or provide for the…

Piaget's theory of cognitive motivation is examined. Other Piagetian theories are also explored: the distinction between figurative and operative aspects of knowledge, and passivity versus activity. A limited set of implications of Piaget's theory and description of intellectual development for methods of active education are discussed. (CT)

Hunkins asserts that the curriculum has been splintered in reaction to myriad demands upon the schools. He outlines a plan for a "curriculum of encounters" which seeks to enable students to become complete human beings and has the potential for bringing unity and purpose to school programs. (SK)

Constructivist listening is a tool for empowerment, community building, and educational change. It enables teachers and principals to think of themselves and their schools as centers for learning and change rather than as the target of change efforts for others. It enables people to assume responsibility for their actions and feelings. (Author)

Educators know that an achievement gap exists between students of low-income and middle-income families, a gap that is especially evident in fourth grade and beyond. This essay explores issues related to this gap, including primary-level children being immersed in narrative text and, therefore, unprepared for the challenges of informational text…