This paper describes how teacher portfolios could be used to provide teachers with the opportunity to grow professionally in concert with other teachers and in ways that promote school, district, and professional student performance standards. An opening section discusses the lack of progress in developing effective teacher evaluation and…

This paper discusses three issues relating to teacher certification in Kentucky. These issues are: (1) certification of teachers who work with children under the age of 6 years; (2) preparation of teachers for primary education; and (3) alternative certification. The first issue raises questions of whether Kentucky should require certification for…

As a male professing feminism to his female elementary education students, an education professor faced problems, philosophically and pragmatically, as he and his students contested feminist theory and pedagogies in class. During the summer of 1986, 62 of his students conducted oral histories of retired or veteran teachers of literacy in the…

Rather than approaching problems in teacher education programs in terms of an "either-or" formulation, an approach using premises on education, meaning, persons, and choice from educational and psychoanalytical theory can provide broadly conceived resolutions. This approach cuts across questions usually raised about teacher education curriculum,…

Drawing on international studies concerning leisure attitudes, media consumption, and parental impact on the television viewing decisions of 4- to 14-year olds, this paper focuses on the importance of developing a coherent media education policy for pre- and primary-school children, parents, elementary school teachers, and television station…

The regenerative model for the mathematics education of elementary school teachers that is presented is an interactive model that recognizes the need to consider local and national professional concerns as well as local preservice and in-service teacher concerns. A process for identifying and utilizing these concerns is described. Other models…

In a letter to a student with disabilities who is included in mainstream education, a school psychologist shares issues, concerns, and insights about their year together. The letter examines what this student taught school personnel and peers and explains that inclusion is nothing more than quality education for all students. (SM)

Offers suggestions for facilitating collaboration between families and schools, based on experience in Montessori education. Advocates gaining trust through regular informal social gatherings of parents and principal, pointing out that trust can help parents deal with anxiety over future academic success. Notes the efficacy of a parent education…

Uses a heuristic inquiry approach to describe the difficult transition one doctoral graduate experienced on returning to his position as an elementary teacher, suggesting that the graduate experience complicated the return in many ways. Ambiguities and contradictions he perceived between his practical teaching experience and theoretical doctoral…

Describes different team approaches to the organization and delegation of teachers' tasks in public schools, offering insights into the types of skills teachers need to ensure the success of the team and providing examples of how a teacher team may function effectively. (SM)

The 1993 Education Act in Great Britain presents classroom teachers and special educational needs coordinators with fresh challenges with students who have reading and writing failure. Improved initial training of primary teachers is needed so they are equipped to address manifest reading and spelling difficulties, predict where problems can…

Discusses teachers' knowledge and beliefs about mathematics and how mathematics is best taught and learned. Considers interrelationships between beliefs and teachers' classroom practices. Argues that instruction is shaped by teachers' knowledge and beliefs and that meaningful change in instruction will entail fundamental changes in what teachers…

Argues that local history collections in the public library can be used by teachers to make their lessons challenging and more meaningful and outlines factors a public librarian needs to consider in developing cooperative teaching programs with schools using primary documents. Sample exercises for fourth and eighth graders are included. (six…

Guideline competencies were developed for elementary, middle school, and high school teachers, computer teachers, and curriculum coordinators and compared with earlier guideline competencies. This comparison suggests major revisions in teacher education programs are needed to prepare teachers who can develop and teach utilizing new educational…

Argues that, to stem the cuts in the physical education (PE) curriculum, school administrators need to be taught what qualities constitute an effective PE teacher. Sources for acquiring information on PE teacher effectiveness are provided, and ways in which to disseminate this information are explored. (GLR)