In considering the problem of raising the professional stature of the teaching profession, a review is presented of current statistics on: (1) shortages of mathematics and science teachers; (2) declining enrollment in teacher education programs; (3) widening gap in supply and demand for teachers; (4) current and future shortages of teachers; (5)…

A working symposium, consisting of 100 persons from many different professions and perspectives, brainstormed for three days about ways in which to make teaching more of a profession. This report presents the symposium participants' vision and action plan for the K-12 teaching profession in California. Reasons why change is needed in the teaching…

This newsletter issue considers in separate articles: (1) unionization in 1981 among college faculty in the United States; (2) unionization at the California State University and College System (CSU) (by Lisa Flanzraich); (3) multi-year agreements; (4) contract size; (5) and, in "Yeshivawatch," developments pertaining to the National…

The impact of stress burnout and on the educational organization is discussed. Observations include the need for clarity on the part of special educators concerning expectations of self and others. (JW)

The school systems of Tennessee are continuing to make efforts to recruit and retain African-American and other minority teachers. As school systems in the state become more and more diverse, these efforts must increase. The number of classroom teachers with 30+ years of experience further emphasizes the accelerated need to establish and implement…

The quality of individuals teaching in North Carolina's public schools determines the success of students and schools. Research indicates that many new teachers leave the profession in their first years of teaching because of less than optimal and unsupportive teaching conditions. This report examines several of the problems that new teachers…

Contextual factors that may affect the appropriateness of the placement of student teachers are described. A case study is presented of an inappropriate placement. (CJ)

Teachers are facing political pressure from both the left and the right regarding their right to choose appropriate instructional materials. The experiences of several teachers who have been involved in censorship arguments are reported. A checklist of items concerning school policies and public relations activities to counter censorship is…

Burnout occurs when teachers are exposed to chronic stress without sufficient compensatory relaxation. Symptoms of burnout include physical, emotional, and attitudinal difficulties. Coping strategies for teachers include self-help groups and professional counseling. (JN)

The physical environment of the school is often not designed to fit the needs of older teachers. (Author/JM)

This article describes a new student teaching element introduced in the Netherlands in which student teachers act on their own during a three-month practicum, with no classroom observation incorporated into supervision. Also discusses short-term learning outcomes (as perceived by student teachers and their supervisors) of this effort to increase…

An exploration of the assumptions, implications, and consequences of eight Wisconsin experimental projects concerned with creating career ladders and teacher incentive programs suggests that the reforms resulting from the projects intensify the work of teaching rather than redefine its conditions to make them more intellectually and socially…

A discussion of how teacher educators must respond to the sociological issues beyond everyday work that affect teachers' attitudes, dispositions, and socialization in the workplace covers: professional and traditional teacher styles; experienced teachers' attitudes of conservatism, presentism, or individualism; job ambiguities and conflicts;…

The article traces the path of change, over several years, in school culture through a school district's five-year Human Resource Development Program, presents formative evaluation data, reveals critical change decisions, and speculates on what might have been done differently. (CB)

Presents a brief overview of the history of the first early childhood teachers in the United States. Describes the circumstances under which colonial America's dame schools were created and run. Sketches a typical day in a dame school and delineates dame school teachers' qualifications and methods. Closes with the story of how the signing of…