Effective professional development is a faculty-directed process that encourages modification of behaviors based on critical self-reflection and evaluation of one's assumptions and beliefs about targeted development areas (such as teaching, curriculum, or school environment). This article presents a comprehensive faculty-development model that…

Examines contemporary conditions of English in 3 British secondary schools. Considers (1) what English teachers say about their aims; (2) how these aims are translated into classroom practices; and (3) what external agencies want the subject of English to produce. Concludes teachers "delivered" the cultural products of Standard English…

Staff ownership can be achieved only in a climate where synergism is understood and promoted. The principal must truly believe that the cooperative action of staff members working together is greater than the sum of their efforts taken independently and in isolation. Intimidating principal-teacher relationships must be eliminated. (eight…

How should district and school leaders improve education for students traditionally underserved by public education: by increasing control over teaching and curriculum, or by empowering groups of teachers to have more collective autonomy, responsibility, and opportunities for professional learning? The second approach--promoting multiple…

The set of papers collected in this anthology were developed from presentations given at the 16th meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA), November 5-8, 1994, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. These papers provide conceptual explorations of dimensions of teacher change such as…

Systems chosen for teacher appraisal in both United Kingdom and United States frequently reflect interests of end users rather than teachers themselves. Drawing on experiences of group of teachers involved in open-ended evaluation process, this paper examines various appraisal systems and argues for those empowering teachers to reflect on their…

A survey of teachers revealed that principals who want to promote classroom instruction must talk openly and freely with teachers about teaching and learning, provide time and encourage peer connections for teachers, empower teachers, embrace the challenge of teachers' professional development, and lead and motivate teachers. (MLH)

Examines participation issues of (British) department heads in whole-school decision-making processes to determine whether such participation represents true empowerment. Three models emerged, with varied results. Collegiality offers many persuasive benefits but is difficult to attain. Hierarchical and horizontal structures' effectiveness needs…

Examines aspects of initial teacher education and continuing professional development in Scotland against the backdrop of McCrone Report recommendations on teaching conditions. Discusses teachers' attitudes toward their own professional development; the nature of professional knowledge, skills, and values; and some principles to promote genuine…

Several accounts concerning the systematic use of action research by eminent educators in the process of identifying and solving an educational problem(s) have appeared in professional journals. Thus, action research is gaining recognition by policy makers and educators as a tool for change However, this growing concept has not yet caught up in…

Discusses the classroom use of educational technology, highlighting teacher and student empowerment by analyzing a PowerPoint classroom presentation about ancient Babylon for eighth graders. (PEN)

Despite the rosy image projected by child-centered reformers, zealots and profiteers are really driving the charter school movement. Charter schools cannot flourish without drastic wage reductions or huge spending increases, nor will they benefit America's poorest children. The market, which has already destroyed kids' neighborhoods and parents'…

The key to our future students' success is educators' ability to transcend their immediate ego-protected environments and openly seek, accept, incorporate, and publicly acknowledge expertise and opinions of others. Principals advocating benefits of collaborative decision making must show tolerance and encourage a wide variety of management,…

Neglect of divergent cultural values and belief systems; perennial debates about moral, ethical, and legal questions; power struggles; and technically oriented initiatives have thwarted school-reform efforts. Initiating frequent policy changes to accommodate fads overlooks the slowness of change and the learning process in complex social…

Principals play a key role in developing teacher leadership. To identify, develop, and support teacher leaders in their schools, principals should define teacher leadership, be comfortable with teacher leaders, encourage teachers to become leaders, help teachers develop leadership skills, and provide positive and limited constructive feedback.…