The present study extends a previous study of student teachers' teaching potential to first-year teachers and includes variables addressing commitment to a teaching career and efficacy. Respondents consisted of 126 first-year teachers who completed questionnaires at student teaching, graduation, and one year following graduation. Seven tables are…

Teacher education is quickly evolving, reflecting the dynamic complexity and heterogeneity of U.S. society. Collaboration of state licensing agencies and university/college and school personnel is essential in pursuing creative options to meet student needs. This collaboration requires a careful examination of the roles played by each of the three…

Sixteen expert educators participated in a working conference on the first years of teaching. The proceedings included two commissioned papers, a panel discussion among three persons engaged in on-going induction programs, and large and small group discussions following each presentation. Kenneth Zeichner's paper, "Individual and Institutional…

This paper examines some impacts of basic skills proficiency testing of teachers in Arizona. A discussion of some legal issues involved in teacher proficiency testing is presented. Specific cases are cited which illustrate the fact that the courts have ruled that testing must show "job-relatedness" and a "rational basis for…

In late 1987, the Holmes Group called for member institutions to report on their first year of progress in educational reform. These reports serve as an early benchmark for the work in progress around the country. Readers of the 71 reports received prepared analytic memos summarizing their observations; these memos serve as a principal basis for…

The Pennsylvania State University served as the Pennsylvania Coordinator of Occupational Competency Assessment (OCA). It managed the Pennsylvania OCA Program, which provides the secondary public schools of the state with competent vocational instructors as a component of teacher preparation at Temple University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania,…

This paper asserts that the growth and maintenance of failed urban school districts that have miseducated minority children in poverty for over 50 years is a predictable, explainable phenomenon. The essay suggests that the extensive resources funneled into these systems are used for increasing district bureaucracies rather than improving…

Presents the "Teaching Journal" as a component of the Teaching Apprenticeship in Expository Writing course offered by Ithaca College. The professor mentor and the teaching apprentice write independently about their weekly classroom observations, opinions, questions, and concerns. This process offers apprentices teaching experience and…

Examines experiences of undergraduate students and newly hired beginning preschool teachers as they learn about teaching and working with young children through an early childhood education course. Suggests ways in which experienced or supervising teachers and directors can help new teachers. (BB)

To improve instruction, administrators and teachers in one New York school district have adapted portfolio assessment techniques for use in administrative evaluation of teachers. The paper describes the Portfolio Self-Assessment for Teachers, which accelerates the professional growth of novice teachers by creating a medium for guided reflection.…

Describes the Teach for America teacher corps which places recent graduates of selective colleges in teaching positions at inner-city and rural schools plagued by shortages. The program, funded by high-profile benefactors, has participants make a two-year commitment. It has raised great controversy, particularly among educators who value rigorous…

Consistent with the conception of teaching as a learning profession, the authors' vision of a professional teacher workforce is one in which teachers do take responsibility for their own learning--their work. Supporting teachers' transition from workers to learners may require learning opportunities of a different type--work opportunities offered…

Anyone who works with new teachers must let them know that they should not have to make a choice between bringing up test scores or promoting lifelong learning. Mentor teachers must show beginning teachers how to be "passionate teachers," which the author defines as living a life as a reflective educator, making it a priority to build positive…

This paper introduces a Chinese teacher induction program. In China it is believed that formal teacher education constitutes only half of teacher preparation; the other half has to be accomplished on the job with the active support and involvement of the teaching community. The voice of teachers is introduced to the field of educational research…

The Aide-to-Teacher Project is a teacher recruitment and preparation project for culturally diverse paraprofessional classroom aides, initiated at California State University Dominguez Hills in 1987. The program works in collaboration with seven school districts to provide paraprofessionals with the financial, academic, and personal support they…