In this paper we discuss how a general theory of instruction called Concept-Focused Instruction (CFI) can assist in the professional development of prospective teachers. CFI provides prospective teachers with a foundation and logical decision-making process for selecting, designing, and teaching mathematics. First, we provide a theoretical and…

In order to diversify its economy and raise the economic level of its people, South Carolina concluded that a possible solution might be to provide pretrained people for the work force of any industry that located in the State or for any expanding industry within the State. In 1961, Technical Education Committee (TEC) Centers were created and…

Current literature reveals that induction for beginning principals is often poorly planned or nonexistent. The purpose of this research, which examined induction practices for 112 randomly selected first-year elementary principals in Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina, was to study current induction programs, determine beginning principals'…

Williamsburg County, South Carolina, is an almost entirely rural area near the coast. Although nearly 50% of the population is under 21, there has been a sharp decline in population since its high in 1950. The outmigration, prounounced for black youth, is caused by a lack of industrial opportunities, although there is slow, steady industrial…

Careful long-range planning and slow, deliberate growth have benefitted Kershaw County's 500,000 pleasantly varied acres near the state capitol. The county, famous for its equestrian activity, boasts prestige stables, riding clubs, and trails. In addition there are lakes and numerous parks. Leaders want to maintain this aesthetic appeal while…

From 1989 until 1998 the U.S. Department of Education administered the National Workplace Literacy Demonstration Program. During that period, over $130 million supported some 300 projects where adult education programs partnered with thousands of businesses, agencies, and organizations to provide work-based skills to employees. While only seven…

A description is given of South Carolina's principal apprenticeship program to train future administrators. The program focuses on two key elements: a set of field-based experiences planned to meet the specific needs of the apprentice, and a one-to-one mentor-apprentice relationship. Apprentices receive experiences in seven areas: (1) curriculum…

Although teacher inservice programs based on Madeline Hunter's Program for Effective Teaching (PET) have become very popular in U.S. schools, there is little evidence that the Hunter model ultimately results in increased student achievement. This longitudinal study attempts to evaluate the effects of Hunter-based staff development programs on…

A study was conducted to build a task list for the clinical experience program for agricultural teacher education programs in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. A modified Delphi technique was used to survey a panel of experts to identify the tasks that should be included in the early field experiences (EFEs) and student teaching…

Some insights into the development of an eleventh grade test of "adult functional competency" are provided. The evolution of the test from its first mention to its translation into a test item pool is traced. An attempt is made to identify some of the instructional, measurement, and legal implications inherent in various decisions which…

A review of the legal basis for and a model of operationalizing definitions of handicapping conditions is presented along with a trend analysis of the association between operationalized criteria and stability in incidence rates. The role of Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), Public Law 93-380, and Section 504 of…

This paper describes efforts to design an evaluation system that has as its primary objective helping schools effect positive change through the Accelerated Schools Project. Three characteristics were deemed essential: (1) that the evaluation be useful and meaningful; (2) that it be sensitive to local conditions; and (3) that evaluations of…

South Carolina's response to the excellence literature of the early 1980s is called the Education Improvement Act (EIA). This act increased high school graduation requirements, required basic skills testing and standardized observation of teacher candidates, and mandated extensive competency testing and remediation of students. The EIA, like most…

The Professional Development in Education Program at the University of Charleston (South Carolina) was developed to make meaningful connections between K-12 and higher education faculty. The program began in 1985 when school districts in the coastal region of South Carolina agreed to collaborate and cooperate to improve, increase, and enhance…

In 1985-86, a study was conducted to assess the instruction-related development needs of the faculty of South Carolina's two-year technical colleges. The study involved a survey of a sample of master teachers (N=120) in nine major discipline clusters at each of the system's 16 colleges to determine their perceptions of the instruction-related…