Advocates using the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) Curriculum Standards as a central supportive resource for all social studies methods courses. Observes several preservice teachers as they integrate guidelines from the Standards into their lesson presentations. Includes a discussion of their peer evaluation process. (MJP)

In this paper a conceptual framework is presented which describes the various dimensions and factors that constitute the processes of a beginning teacher's professional development during preservice and the induction period. The frame in question is based on data resulting from earlier research and on a broad study of recent literature. The model…

Studies have found that the more familiar student teachers are with competency-based assessment measures and the more exposure they have to self-assessment and assessment by supervising teachers and professors, the more competent they will be in class. Programs that involve videotaping student teachers have been found to be effective assessment…

A training model to prepare practicing teachers in rural areas as special educators is described. Developed at Kansas State University, the model employs a multi-modal approach which combines a variety of long-distance teaching methods with traditional on-campus summer course work. The model incorporates the use of an interactive audio…

This document presents the four case studies that constituted the major sources for "Teacher Evaluation: A Study of Effective Practices" by the same authors. The study was undertaken to find teacher evaluation processes that produce information useful to school districts in helping teachers improve or in making personnel decisions. The…

This speech discusses problems that principals face in trying to implement effective school strategies, describes ongoing research in instructional management, and identifies school improvement strategies used by particularly effective principals. The first section addresses practical problems in finding the appropriate balance between high…

This document is a kit for conducting a program of performance appraisal for first line supervisors (such as department chairpersons) in instructional departments in two-year colleges. It was developed for use in selected postsecondary technical institutes in Wisconsin, but could be used in nontechnical settings. The first three sections of the…

Examines the effects of teachers' decision-making power on core educational issues involving conflict among teachers, students, and administrators. Discovers a positive relationship between increased teacher autonomy and decreased school conflict. Identifies and discusses several types of decisions made by teachers. (MJP)

A discussion of the use of portfolios for teacher evaluation reviews common uses of portfolios in higher education and offers suggestions for portfolio construction. It is noted that portfolios are frequently used for evaluation of both learner and teacher performance, as a means of documenting an individual's capabilities and skills. Some…

In the spirit of educational reform efforts, this paper describes a supervisory training program at Indiana University East. The program, based on the development of reflective skills, is designed to assist classroom teachers who become supervisors for early education field students and student teachers. In order to develop the skills of a good…

Literature on the efficacy of university faculty as supervisors of student teachers reveals the general opinion that university supervisors have a low impact on student teachers, and that their role is secondary to that of cooperating teachers. A cause for this is the lack of training to help student teachers respond appropriately to certain…

Beginning with the observation that educators are faced with rising public expectations, declining resources, and increased public criticism, this paper describes a six-fold model for determining how staff development is operating and how it can be made to operate more effectively, in a self-renewing manner. The six dimensions consist of the…

Home-economics education during the biennium has made notable progress. Among the achievements are the formation of the Organization of Supervisors and Teachers of Home Economics, further curriculum revision, better integration of home-economics instruction with health education, larger opportunities for child development and parental education,…

The Fitchburg (Massachusetts) State College Education Department has collaborated with 38 cooperating teachers from 22 schools in central Massachusetts to develop a clinical mentor program as a component of a new Master's Degree in Education. In addition to the comprehensive clinical mentor component, the program integrates theory, research, and…

New state laws and regulations designed to improve teacher quality are described in this policy brief. The new policies represent eight strategies for dealing with teaching quality issues: testing and screening; teacher compensation; preservice training and certification; staff development; enhanced management and supervision; teacher job…