This article compares and contrasts various types of external degree and nontraditional graduate programs including their organization, objectives, and problems. (JMF)

The education community--teachers, teacher educators, administrators, policymakers--must come together to establish truly professional standards and the mechanisms for their expression; in addition, it must serve as the catalyst for the rigorous enforcement of these standards. (IAH)

This article chronicles the evolution of the Classroom Research Study Group (a collaborative effort of the University of Louisville and the Jefferson County Public Schools Ghens Professional Development Academy), describes how it functions, discusses teachers' emergent roles as action researchers, and considers related issues concerning the…

Traces the history of Ohio State University's Interprofessional Commission of Ohio, illustrating how collaboration among academics, helping professions, citizens, and community organizations can improve human conditions; chronicling the Commission's development from its inception to its present form; describing the program's evolution from…

Presents one teacher educator's reflections on working in a Professional Development School (PDS) for 5 years, discussing changes in his work; the value of the teacher educator's PDS role; involvement with real school issues; becoming a mentor; expanding the professional circle; personal satisfaction with PDS work; and the viability of the PDS…

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education developed draft standards for Professional Development Schools (PDSs). This article discusses the PDS concept and origins, examines why PDSs are important, and argues for standards as a means of supporting the PDS work and holding PDSs accountable for multiple results. The draft standards…

Examines findings of Professional Development School (PDS) researchers on the potential of PDSs to change and improve the quality of education, discussing Holmes Group research, describing barriers that have limited the contribution from PDS research, and arguing for greater focus on professional development, leadership, and policy if the PDS…

Results of research on children with learning disabilities indicate that the communication between parents and teachers of the child has less to do with the student's academic achievement than had been previously thought; however, a parent's active involvement with the school program itself may improve student performance. (JD)

The potential contribution of action research to professionalizing teaching is discussed and related to three types of collaboration which are distinguished by roles of participants, degree of institutional support, topics addressed, and type of focus. Also considered is the potential role of action research in encouraging reflective practice.…

Compared Japanese and U.S. preservice teachers' attitudes about global issues and global relations, surveying preservice elementary teachers at one Japanese and two American universities. Results indicated that the groups were moderately worldminded overall, and they differed significantly in their levels of worldmindedness. Four out of ten survey…

Although many parents remain unfamiliar with the testing programs offered in their children's schools, recent surveys show that parent groups are becoming increasingly interested in the critical issues surrounding testing. Parents should assume responsiblity for monitoring the progress of their children and learn the facts about standardized…

Examined teacher risk taking during the development of a school-within-a-school program in a Professional Development School, targeting sophomores at high risk for dropping out. Findings indicated that a psychology of risk-taking behavior provided a useful lens for understanding teacher risk-taking in this context and that the three essential…

Presents a first-person account of three people closely involved in a collaboration between one junior-senior high school and Miami University's Institute for Educational Renewal. The collaboration centered on incorporating a teacher-as-inquirer component into student teaching experience, which developers believe holds greater promise for…

Examines findings from work the National Foundation for the Improvement of Education has conducted with schools and teachers' associations nationwide to suggest ways that Professional Development Schools could improve results for teachers in schools. The paper focuses on incorporating peer assistance, using teachers' associations as collaborators,…

Examines literature on empowerment, and participation of parents and teachers in school decision making in the context of school governance. Discusses changing roles of parents and teachers under conditions of restructuring and examines how the changing organizational context in schools influences the nature and quality of relationships between…