A report provides summaries of 10 papers presented at a conference about teacher competence and effectiveness. In the first session, two speakers, Nel Noddings and Edward R. Fagan, present an analysis of the prevailing rhetoric in educational discourse and practice. The second session provides historical perspectives on the use of the term…

The proceedings of a conference which focused on accountability in teacher education are supplied in this document. Accountability procedures, such as competency requirements, are examined in a keynote speech by John D. McNeil of the University of California at Los Angeles. Other speakers who offered position papers on accountability were: (1)…

The passage of Bill 1706 by the Oklahoma State Legislature is a major step toward building professional schools of education and a true profession. Through the specifications of this law, the total process is to be strengthened, since changes in teacher education are severely limited if done in a piecemeal fashion. There are five major points…

Outlines priorities for the future of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Specifically discusses the importance of the early years, demand for child care, public policy activities, membership and leadership, organizational structure, clinical research, certification, and public education. (KS)

This discussion of collaborative training of early childhood educators promotes increased collaboration between regular and special early childhood educators. It examines teacher competencies in curriculum, class management, professional consultation and collaboration, teacher-family relationships, child-child interactions, exceptional children,…

Discusses decision making and politics in teacher education. In Papua New Guinea, poor command of the English language led to implementation of an intensive, controversial program in teacher education colleges. The article presents comments on teacher education, language, and competency testing in England, Wales, Brazil, Canada, and the United…

Despite the many criticisms that have been made of vocational education teacher preparation, the field has many strengths that can serve as a base on which to build excellent programs. Six examples of excellence are pointed out: (1) important vocational teacher competencies have been identified and verified; (2) high quality performance-based…

The proceedings of a 1979 Missouri symposium on doctoral programs in special education includes the texts of major addresses and position papers as well as summaries of conclusions of small working groups. The keynote speech by R. Erdman was entitled "Higher Education in the 1980's: Implications for Doctoral Programming." The speech deals with…

This study for the Kentucky Department of Education identified and validated teacher competencies for teachers of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The competencies address assessment, consultation, social skills development, behavior management, instructional programing/curriculum, personal/professional aspects, cognition,…

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has had a competency-based vocational instructor approval process for more than two and one-half decades. Perhaps the most important element in this process has been the vocational competency testing. Although some say that Massachusetts is out of step, others feel that Massachusetts has a well-established testing…

A review of the history of changes in emphasis in the educational system covers the period from the 1930's to the present. After World War II the returning veterans attending college as a result of the GI Bill had a lasting effect on higher education. It forced a rethinking of teacher education, and the emerging schools of education and teachers…

The articles in this collection present international perspectives on change and innovation in teacher education. It is divided into six topic areas. Part one offers views on the social and economic implications of teacher education. In part two the problems and challenges for reform in teacher education in East Africa, Poland, France, Italy, and…

This feature article examines changes needed in special education personnel preparation (such as increasing the supply of qualified personnel). Strategies for meeting these needs are discussed, including methods of using best practices and innovative training methods. An Outcomes-Based Teacher Education model (with proposed knowledge and skill…

The six state-based research centers of the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Australian Research Consortium (ALNARC) investigated the effects of inclusion of literacy and numeracy standards in Australia's national training packages and the standards' impact on the quality of learning and work outcomes. The six ALNARC projects, which used a case study…

The public's reasons for encouraging the competency testing of teachers are discussed, as well as arguments against teacher testing. Testing activities or considered legislation in Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Virginia, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arizona, Wisconsin, and New York are briefly…