A study of the impact of teacher education programs on 20 student teachers found that the degree to which students incorporated general pedagogical knowledge into teaching was contingent on placement, setting, support of the cooperating teacher, influence of pupils, and level the student teacher was teaching. Participants had greater difficulty…

Study examined science methods courses and characteristics of instructors (n=65). Of the responding institutions, 24% had only a general methods course. Most science methods courses were for three credits. Instructors were mainly male with an average age of 50 years. Differences were found between three groups of faculty teaching science methods:…

Inverness Research studied the American Museum of Natural History's (AMNH) Seminars on Science program for eight years, from its inception in 1998 to 2006. This paper presents teacher survey ratings for "The Link between Dinosaurs and Birds", along with profiles of three teachers who took the course. Course takers report on the annual…

This study was carried out in Hong Kong to determine: (1) if the aims and objectives identified by various groups of students reflect those set out in official course prescriptions; (2) in what ways these aims are similar; and (3) in what ways they are different from officially stated course prescriptions. Participants included a group of 58…

The use of collaborative case studies is an important tool for promoting teacher development, providing preservice teachers with opportunities to apply what they have learned in a real life context. This paper describes the design and evolution of a unique application of case study methodology by two early childhood/elementary education professors…

Professional Development Schools (PDS) are designed not only to educate novice teachers but also to be places where university and school faculties can collaborate on research and development. This study, the initial phase of a longitudinal study, attempts to discover if an early PDS experience can develop a stronger beginning teacher than a…

The Research About Teacher Education (RATE) project is an ongoing data collection effort to establish a reliable database about institutions of higher education where teachers are prepared, and about the faculty, students, and programs at these institutions. This RATE study is based on a survey of 91 heads of schools, colleges, and departments of…

By examining the role of supervision in the induction process of second career teachers, this study provides a new lens both for examining the career transition of second career teachers and for viewing the role of instructional supervision. Using case study methodology, the transitions of three cohorts (N=38) of participants in a teacher…

This study explores how selected course experiences at the University of Memphis (Tennessee) influenced preservice teachers' perceptions of their comfort and competence levels in planning and implementing parent involvement programs. The course required of all elementary and early childhood education students, called "School/Community…

This phase of a longitudinal study being conducted at Iowa State University compares the career paths of teacher education graduates with mathematics and science majors to elementary and other secondary area graduates. Participating in the study were teacher education graduates (N=842), out of a population of 1,411, who responded to a…

This paper addresses the issue of multiculturalism in public schools and the role teacher education programs play in preparing teachers to create, implement, and evaluate curriculum and instruction responsive to the educational needs of diverse learners. Ethnographic interviews and observations were utilized to present a case study which…

Novice teachers face formidable tasks of planning and management as they enter the classroom for the first time as professionals. They also bring with them mental imprints of what teaching and learning are like, images gained not from their professional preparation programs, but from their years as students. This qualitative study is part of a…

The purposes of this study were threefold: (1) to obtain information on perceptions of student teachers, cooperating teachers, and student teacher supervisors regarding the substance, appropriateness, and value of the undergraduate teacher education program at Temple University (Pennsylvania); (2) to identify areas for teacher education program…

This task force report addresses three questions fundamental to the reform of teacher preparation: (1) what do teachers need to know? (2) what academic, professional, and practical experiences should be provided? and (3) what are the most efficacious relationships between a Faculty of Education, other faculties and schools in the University, other…

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a society that evaluates special education programs in the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) process. This study surveyed the 179 colleges and universities approved for accreditation by the CEC and sampled procedures the CEC-approved special education programs were…