Approaches for serving culturally different handicapped children in the schools are considered. The importance of focusing on human diversity, beginning in the early grades, is emphasized. Teaching competencies needed to promote understanding and acceptance of such diversity are described, including skills in assessment, communication with…

This review of research literature about training in the skills of teaching indicates that change in skills can be brought about through different training methods, with different training populations, and in different training settings. This analysis of the literature was designed to assess the comparative contribution of a set of selected…

The study examined the teaching concerns of university teaching assistants (TAs) and attempted to identify changes in the ways in which TAs think about teaching as they become more experienced. The study surveyed 145 first-time TA appointees at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and 79 more experienced TAs from a wide variety of the…

The design, implementation, and evaluation of faculty development programs have become a priority in both public and private institutions of higher education. This paper discusses a program that has been successful in meeting the needs of both experienced and new faculty members at The Autonomous University of the North East (UANE) in Mexico. The…

The Graduate Assistant Orientation at New Mexico State University is described. The objective of the orientation is to provide teaching assistants (TAs) with excellent role models for university teaching. The orientation, which is voluntary, communicates to TAs that feelings of uncertainty are understood by the staff. The manner in which the…

Teacher education programs must be redefined in order to emphasize three areas: authority; autonomy; and authenticity. The rebuilding effort begins with teacher educators, and how and what they teach prospective teachers. Teachers must be taught to be authorities and autonomous in their own spheres--in their classrooms and on their school staffs.…

This paper argues that during the past two decades, research on teaching effectiveness can be identified with three differing paradigms: (1) the technical/"scientific"; (2) the humanistic; and (3) the person-centered paradigms. It is further proposed that if teaching is viewed as an art or craft and learning as an ever present process,…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether student teachers participating in an experimental seminar, which included peer coaching based on self-identified, instructor-, and peer-determined instructional needs, would demonstrate greater instructional skill transfer to the elementary classroom than would student teachers participating in a…

To determine discrepancies between teacher training for behavioral disorders and the actual competencies needed by practicing teachers of severely behaviorally handicapped (SBH) students, 167 public school administrators, regular educators, special education teachers and supervisors, and university teacher educators responded to a three-part…

An increasing number of students in early childhood education are questioning critically the relationship of their professional training and academic background to the realities of their role as educators. This reflection has identified skills required for their work as educators for which they have not been adequately trained. To identify skills…

The objective of the course described here is to provide the teaching assistants (TAs) with help, encouragement, and constructive criticism. An orientation program lasts one week and follows the following schedule: (1) On the first day, a general introduction to general university and departmental policies is given, as well as to teaching methods…

This paper describes how undergraduate instruction in reading methods can be structured to prepare elementary education majors for competency-based teacher certification. Examples of how content, methods, and materials can be adapted to give students opportunities to perform specified tasks and to demonstrate their competencies are suggested. Some…

Described are components of the competency based teacher training program in learning disabilities at the University of North Florida. Presented are the program's thirteen generic competencies, including statement of objectives in observable terms, identification of pupil interest and motivation, modality assessment, developmental sequence of…

This paper focuses on the development and validation of survey tools that help teachers engage in a guided reflection process. The guided reflection process assists teachers at all levels, kindergarten through college, to reflect on (1) their own beliefs and practices; (2) how these practices are perceived by their students; and (3) the impact of…

A study examined the characteristics of teachers who can be shown to be effective in teaching literacy to primary pupils. Aims of the research were to: (1) identify the key factors in what effective teachers know, understand, and do which enable them to put effective teaching of literacy into practice in the primary phase; (2) identify the…