The millions of public educators are working tirelessly and the US is spending billions of dollars annually to solve one of the country's most vexing social problems, education achievement gap and its horrific life consequences for millions of children, particularly of color. The problem is a stubborn one, with deep-rooted impediments to its…

Explores "second-wave" reform efforts aimed at restructuring schools and reshaping teacher roles to permit greater autonomy, responsibility, and status. As better working conditions increase teacher satisfaction, education will compete more favorably with other professions as a career choice. Includes 16 references. (MLH)

The adversarial positions fostered by the "win-lose" atmosphere of negotiations can carry into other aspects of the work environment and hamper the problem solving that teachers and supervisors must do together. (Author)

In summer 1995, Dallas Public Schools formed a partnership with a primary care system and a mental health agency. The result was the opening of nine youth and family centers located on or near school campuses. Services are designed to promote academic success, resiliency, and self-sufficiency. By offering families and students needed support, the…

Helping preservice and beginning teachers develop social insight or "withitness" remains a critical challenge for teacher educators. Secondary students are particularly critical of teachers lacking these qualities. Student teachers' insight-developing strategies include exposing themselves to adolescent culture, affirming students'"weather,"…

Efforts to professionalize teaching may increase teachers' commitment, but reforms may not be entirely successful without attention paid to their pedagogical content knowledge. One hypothetical district adopted a career enhancement plan offering curriculum-specialist and teacher-leader opportunities and encouraged teacher collaboration. The…

The portable Program for Learning Competent Teaching, also known as the "block" or "trailer" program, is a Flagstaff School District/Northern Arizona University joint effort focused on experience, integrated coursework, total immersion, and professionalism. The program thrives because it bridges everyday experience and ideas.…

Mount Holyoke College's discussion-based Lenses on Learning seminars consist of 3 10-hour sessions that invite administrators to consider new ideas about mathematics, learning, and teaching and applications for their practice-supervising teachers, supporting their professional development, suggesting assessment approaches, addressing…

Site-based management tries to transform schools into communities where the appropriate people participate constructively in major decisions affecting them. Effective site councils have a well-designed community structure, enabling leadership, student and adult learning focus, and a schoolwide perspective. Districts should provide long-term…

High school teachers often have difficulty motivating struggling students to complete homework--especially in inner-city schools in which many students are discouraged by stressful living conditions. The authors consulted with successful urban educators who were involved with innovative, small high schools in New York City, and asked what…

Outlines the development of the Kramer Model, a project developed in the Little Rock School District (Arkansas). It includes an early childhood and elementary program housed in the same building that is an "extended day school". (MD)