Teachers and administrators in rural New Mexico schools and preservice teachers at New Mexico State University were surveyed to determine components that could be included in teacher education programs to augment prospective rural teachers' skills and to ease problems of recruitment/retention of certified personnel in rural schools. Questionnaires…

This study evaluates pre- and inservice training of business educators in Connecticut. Data from a questionnaire returned by 820 of 912 business teachers in Connecticut indicated that over 60 percent of them received their undergraduate training in the state. The teachers indicated that general professional education courses were not worthwhile,…

Preservice teachers' knowledge of the law as it affects students was investigated. Forty-seven preservice teachers, most of whom were undergraduates affiliated with a college of physical education, completed a survey addressing: (1) child abuse; (2) freedom of speech and press; (3) suspension and expulsion from school; (4) corporal punishment; (5)…

Recent developments and means to promote competence and flexibility in preservice training of foreign language teachers are examined. Five issues the profession faces in preparing qualified candidates are: redefining the role of foreign language teachers in general and of the generalist and specialist in particular; selecting the candidates;…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 15 titles deal with the following topics: (1) teacher training of bilingual teacher aides; (2) teaching strategies for secondary school English teachers; (3) the effectiveness of inservice training that used the publication…

This study examined influences that preservice literacy teacher education courses and sustained relationships with literacy researchers had on the literacy practices of three preservice teachers during student teaching and their subsequent self-efficacy and performance as literacy teachers during their first teaching years. Data collected during…

This qualitative study explores the perceptions of a group of White and Hispanic preservice teachers toward the English language learners they tutored over the course of a semester. Nine White participants and five Hispanic participants were interviewed. Comparisons of interview data reveal that White participants and Hispanic participants chose…

This book presents case studies of two highly successful teacher education programs. It is part of a three-volume series that includes seven case studies. It documents the goals, strategies, content, and processes of teacher education programs that are widely acknowledged as exemplars for preparing prospective teachers to engage in skillful,…

This case study explores the student teaching experience of a Spanish language teacher candidate through her own eyes. It sheds light on how the participants' prior learning experience and beliefs inform her initial practice, how she develops her teaching skills, what contextual factors affect her learning-to-teach process, and the sources from…

This paper presents findings from the 1999 Survey of California Teacher Education, with follow-up telephone interviews in 2000. The four-item survey examined the extent to which 53 California teacher training institutions included courses, activities, and modules relating to three areas of focus identified in state documents: (1) developing…

This study examined the impact of the Value Clarification Action Plan on the quality of values education for secondary school students. The study identified values to be modeled through teacher behavior, created an action plan for preservice teachers through the values clarification process, trained students in values personalization, helped…

Examines changes in knowledge structures and beliefs related to class management experienced by middle school preservice teachers (n=23). The study charts changes in concerns, skills, and attitudes through the initial, middle, and concluding student teaching stages. A framework of change for class management concepts is reported and influences…

This study of British primary and secondary teachers and higher education faculty examined teachers' and administrators' responses to government reforms in preservice teacher education. Results indicated that predictions of collapse and major disruption have not materialized, but that systemic instability and fragility raise questions about…

Surveys preservice and experienced music teachers to discover opinions on what specific skills are important for the first three years of teaching. Teachers rated skills using a Likert-type scale. Includes a list of the skills, statistical analysis of responses, brief literature review, and summary of the results. (MJP)

Analyzes the number and variety of concepts found in elementary textbooks for grades kindergarten through grade six. Finds different disciplines are given different emphasis by each textbook series at each grade level. Concludes teachers need broad preparation in social and behavioral sciences. Designs three models for programs to meet those…