The 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study data from 46 countries showed that, although the national level of teacher quality in the United States was similar to the international average, the opportunity gap in students' access to qualified teachers between students of high and low socioeconomic status (SES) was among the…

This study examined what teachers know about health-related fitness (HRF) and how confident they are in their knowledge. Seventy-three middle school physical education teachers completed a 3-part cognitive HRF test and a self-efficacy questionnaire that required responses to statements about how confident they were in passing a HRF knowledge test.…

As the mentoring program has currently constituted a central component in the partnership established between primary schools and teacher education institutions, this research aimed to investigate the practice of mentoring from the perspectives of student teachers and class mentors. The data were collected by means of open-ended questionnaires and…

Federal law emphasizes the need for states and districts to ensure that "all" students--particularly at-risk students, minority students, and students in high-poverty areas--have access to highly qualified, experienced teachers. But is it sufficient for a teacher to have "paper" qualifications and teaching experience? After all, appropriate…

Background/Context: In order to develop effective strategies for retaining able and committed teachers, it is important to understand how new teachers experience their work with their colleagues. A previous qualitative study conducted by the authors and others presented a conceptual framework for understanding new teachers' experiences of the…

A national survey of high school principals was conducted to determine whether they agreed or disagreed with selected practices and procedures used to hire high school physical education teachers. A survey instrument, developed with the help of experts in the field and consisting of 29 items, was sent to 400 randomly selected principals. Useable…

The purpose of this study was to determine if modeling by university professors and practicum and cooperating teachers was related to preservice teachers' perceptions of their computer technology skills and if preservice teachers' use of technology in academic and other settings was related to those perceptions. Seventy-nine preservice teacher…

Analysis of responses of 73 West Virginia regular teachers responding to a survey on job satisfaction suggested that teachers at the secondary or high school level experience lower job satisfaction than those working in middle or elementary schools. Further differences exist among teachers with varying amounts of experience with mainstreaming.…

Personal narratives can reveal the nurturing dimension of the teaching role, characterize important changes in teachers' professional lives, and encourage more reflective practice. Such stories are not superfluous features of teachers' lives, but rather are basic to their continued individual and professional growth. (25 references) (MLH)

Examines the process of resonance through an examination of the experiences shared by four preservice teachers. The role of experiential storytelling, and the connection of specific items in current or past experiences to a narrative of their own or someone else's experience are discussed. (MAK)

The lack of instructional continuity in schools negates every effort of principals to provide an environment where all students would be successful. One solution could be to bridge the gap between the professional knowledge and skills of experienced teachers and the energy and fresh ideas of new recruits so that the latter are provided support…

Using interviews, focus groups, and observations, we examined teacher candidates' understanding of the conceptual orientations that defined their preservice program and practicum experience. Using Feiman-Nemser's (1990) framework, we analyzed our data to determine the dominant perspectives of teacher candidates. Results indicate congruence between…

Teachers' self-evaluation can be used as a diagnostic means by principals and coordinators in order to know where the teachers need help. This study presents a self-evaluation form designed to highlight the needs that English teachers teaching across all levels (preschool-12) at a school in Lebanon had. It was divided into two parts: the first…

Drawing upon empirical research, the article explores the ways in which a cohort of novice teachers learned and developed over a 2-year period. It examines the interplay of personal and contextual influences on teachers' development over time and on the (trans)formation of their professional identities. A combination of methods for data collection…

The conditions that promote best practice in the mentoring of beginning teachers in secondary schools are explored in this paper in relation to the experiential model of learning put forward by Kolb [(1984). "Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development." New York: Prentice-Hall]. The underpinning processes of this…