As many states and districts rethink teacher supervision and evaluation, the team at the Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has analyzed thousands of lesson videotapes and studied the shortcomings of current practices. The tentative conclusion: Teachers should be evaluated on three…

This article, written as a memo to the author's friend in response to an earlier conversation, compares the American education system with that of Japan. First, the author examines cultural differences between Japan and America as a lens through which to look at these two countries. Then, Japanese and American schooling are compared in terms of…

Mandel interviewed both new teachers and veteran educators who had mentored first-year teachers in Los Angeles schools to ascertain what kind of information new teachers want during their initial year in the classroom. He discovered that few first-year teachers felt they needed guidance related to state standards and standardized tests. New…

Presents a definition and examines arguments for and against the clinical supervision model for teacher improvement. (SJL)

Discusses three problems in the usual approach to teacher evaluation--the failure to illuminate the differences in evaluation practices at different educational levels, the limited usefulness of the typical evaluation form, and the propensity to view supervision and evaluation as one process. Suggestions for improvement are offered. (WD)

A common problem faced by new teachers is lack of supervisory support and learning on the job through trial and error can often dishearten the rookie enough to abandon the job and often the profession. Suggestions are offered on how to redress this problem and a starting point could be the implementation of what the Alliance for Excellent…

Examines the role of the school principal in promoting the professional development of teachers under conditions of mutual visibility while fulfilling regular school responsibilities. Argues for the professional development of principals so they can become more effective adult educators. (Author/MK)

The author reacts to the "Supervision-by-Objectives" model proposed by Arth and Wiles in the February 1978 issue of this magazine. (SJL)

Much of what teachers need to know to be successful is invisible to lay observers, leading to the view that teaching requires little formal study and to frequent disdain for teacher education programs. The weakness of traditional program models that are collections of largely unrelated courses reinforce this low regard. This article argues that we…

After introducing Madeline Hunter's lesson planning and teacher supervision model, this paper examines the scientific claims made for the model and provides a philosophical critique based on John Dewey's observations about teaching and learning. Although Hunter claims her model is research-based, the paper finds little evidence to support this…

Madeline Hunter replies to the criticism in the previous article. She feels that the current teacher decision-making model is effective. (MD)

This series of articles discusses beginning vocational agriculture teachers and the challenges they must meet, the rewards they are offered, and the adjustments they must make. Also stresses the need for experienced vocational agriculture teachers to aid and abet their rookie colleagues. (JOW)

To help teachers solve their problems, supervisors must first deal with problems inherent in the helping relationship. (Author)

Despite the importance of improving instruction through the supervision of teachers, building-level vocational school administrators may be ill-prepared for this role and avoid it. Those who are responsible for providing education for vocational school administrators have done little to address strategies for ensuring teacher effectiveness.…

Without a definition of good teaching, the supervisor's efforts to help teachers improve will probably be fragmented, and teacher improvement may not occur. This article examines three definitions of good teaching, presents and defends a certain definition, and suggests supervisory applications. Good teachers are proficient in the kinds of…