In this article, the author talks about building resilience--that ability to push through hardship to success, to rebound from failure, and to "keep on keepin' on" when things seem impossible. The author assert that lots of gifted and talented kids need help building their resilience. In today's world, when striving for mediocrity can…

Edward Greenstein's article reminds us of the important contributions that academic scholars of subject matter can make to the discourse of Jewish education. This response highlights some of Greenstein's argument and explores an area that his article does not examine in depth: the role of teachers' beliefs in the pedagogic decisions that they…

This essay begins with the question, "What can educators do to minimize the risks inherent to interracial dialogue?" Though no such meaningful conversation ever will be without risk, this article offers two specific strategies that have helped foster open classroom climates: adding without contradiction and granting freedom for conclusions. Both…

Presents an analysis of the concept of "teacher participation in school decision making," a set of empirically based hypotheses concerning the current scope and extent of teacher participation, and an outline for a systematic program of research that could provide information for policy development concerning teacher participation.…

In this article we examine how instructors make decisions about task design in telecollaboration and the factors that influence these decisions during the actual implementation of the tasks. We begin with a review of the recent literature of online intercultural exchanges to identify and describe a typology of 12 different types of tasks and task…

In Hammond, IN, the hierarchical structure of authority typical of most school districts is on its way out. With school based committees making more decisions, teachers are having a say in all matters that affect them and their students. Includes an interview with teacher and union leader, Patrick O'Rourke (Author/LHW)

Examined are the grounds upon which the issue about control of the curriculum should be decided and what is meant by control. Because curriculum decision making requires knowledge which is experience-based, teachers are to be preferred as decision makers. (RM)

Through collective bargaining teachers can gain a voice in educational policy decisions and acquire greater on-the-job dignity and independence. These improvements in teachers' situations have been shown to lead to more effective education. A lengthy bibliography concludes this document. (Author/PGD)

Before any school reforms can be enacted, an atmosphere of collegiality within the profession must be created that integrates both the need of school administrators to coordinate policy and of teachers of exercise individual initiative. Appended are 70 references. (MLF)

Discussion of the role of teachers in making decisions about what and how to teach focuses on their role in integrating computer technology into schools. The role of teachers as managers is discussed, and principles for empowering elementary school teachers to make decisions about technology are presented. (29 references) (LRW)

Our teaching conception acknowledges the teacher's central role as a decision maker, influenced by knowledge, beliefs, and emotions. We believe that teachers' education must be focused on teachers' awareness of the complexity of the teaching process, of the incidence of these factors in it, and of the importance of looking at theory as a strong…

The sharing of all decisions with school staff helps by getting collective wisdom of staff members making the system more effective. Teachers should be trusted to make decisions about organization, which affect their lives and the lives of students by involving them in committees like safety committee, parent advisory board and budget committee.

Presents five reasons (along with suggestions) as to why teachers of young children should allow children "free" choice of class activities as a means of preventive classroom discipline. (BB)

Discusses how educational practice is influenced by economic, political, and social forces that reside outside the schools or school district. (CM)

An overview is presented of recent research that has improved the understanding of teaching, effective teaching functions, and the processes which can be employed to improve teaching. This research has been used by those writing national reports on education, and plays an important role for state policymakers who are considering legislation to…