This article discusses the strengths and weaknesses of native and non-native teachers of English in Polish schools, and is the result of the Dr. Butler's experience as a teacher of English in Poland. It is argued that native teachers of English should be employed in Poland because they teach in their own language, use current idioms, provide…

This paper discusses the critical elements and offers corrective models of effective administrator preparation programs. It argues that such programs should promulgate the learning or "why" of theory, the "what" of research, and the "how" of practice. Only concomitant coursework in the liberal arts, the behavioral sciences, and research welded to…

Efficient supervisors have three kinds of skills: human, managerial, and technical. Each is defined and examples are provided. While human relations and management are important, technical skills, more than any other, make the role of the instructional supervisor unique. (TE)

Recent studies do not find consistent relationships between teacher degree, major, and certification, and PK outcomes (Early, D. M., Bryant, D. M., Pianta, R. C., Clifford, R. M., Burchinal, M. R., Ritchie, S., et al. (2006). Are teachers' education, major, and credentials related to classroom quality and children's academic gains in…

This article presents a text of a speech delivered by the author at the Foundation for Technology Education (FTE) Spirit of Excellence breakfast in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this speech, the author talked about the meaning of excellence. In order to pursue excellence, the author suggested that people in the field of technology education should…

In this exciting, unique and challenging time, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute wants to congratulate President-Elect Obama and other new federal leaders. The federal government has a key role to play in creating a world-class education system in America but it's challenging to get that role right. This letter provides some guidance. Fordham…

With both high retirement and high attrition rates among educators and a nationwide increasing student population, more teachers are needed. With the impact of a teacher shortage, educational systems began to examine the alternative certification methods. Alternative routes to teacher education profoundly impact the teaching force. The "Ways…

Because Indiana places a premium on providing quality public education to its students, as reflected by the state constitution and budget, assuring quality candidates are appointed or elected for state educational leadership positions must also be a priority. This policy brief examines educational leadership roles at the state level. The position…

Six suggestions for improving education in the country are offered. The case is made first that unless children's health care is improved, educational achievement among the poor will not improve. The second point is that poverty limits school achievement as well. Without work on these two issues, neither the nation nor the nation's schools will be…

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is now firmly on government agendas in many countries, including England, and the need to develop a professional workforce is generally agreed. The reform of the children's workforce in England acknowledges that increasing the skills and competence of this workforce is critical to its success. Two new…

Examined is the national teacher certification program being completed by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Appended is a list of five characteristics to be expected of board-certified teachers as well as a short summary of opposition arguments. (SI)

Describes forensic science as a career. Includes information on the nature of the work, employment and working conditions, earnings and outlook, and necessary qualifications and training. (JOW)

Christian colleges have been with around since Harvard and Princeton Universities were founded several centuries ago for religious reasons. Recently, such institutions have achieved phenomenal, though quiet, growth. Many of these schools have a requirement that faculty members subscribe to statements of religious faith as a condition of…

"A Nation at Risk" sounded the call for school improvement and offered recommendations for bringing it about. "No Child Left Behind" was even more prescriptive in its approach to raising student achievement. However, as the author of this article points out, for all their recommendations and strategies, both reform efforts neglect the essential…

While the research, theory and policy literature on race, class and gender discrimination in education is extensive, the problem of education-based discrimination itself has been widely overlooked. Indeed, the dominant ideologies of meritocracy and human capital (into which we are inculcated throughout our lives by schools, media and the state)…