A principal boasts that he spends two hours a day in classrooms. And it is true--he really does visit his school's 17 teachers daily, chatting with students and occasionally chiming in on a lesson. But when teachers are asked what kind of feedback they get, they say the principal rarely talks to them about what he sees when he strolls through…

Teachers and administrators in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, received inservice training to prepare them for participation in a widely appreciated supervisory relationship that grants teachers professional respect and reserves formal evaluation for teachers who are clearly failing to meet objectives cited in their personal professional growth plans. (PGD)

Dispelling the myth that beginning teachers are fully equipped to handle the demands of their professions begins by acknowledging that the first months and years of teaching are full of pain, confusion, loneliness, and often humiliation. Schools can help by fostering beginner peer groups and encouraging early professional development and…

Discusses four complementary interventions required for principals to improve classroom visits: Provide clear, grade-specific curriculum proficiency targets; develop results-oriented, teacher team-planned curriculum units; adopt Japanese lesson study approach to teaching; and use data to improve teaching and learning. (PKP)

The clinical phase of teacher education needs to be a shared responsibility among three equal partners: schools and school systems, colleges and universities, and professional organization of teachers. These partners must develop clinical teacher training criteria that will make teacher preparation programs effective and improve the schools…

Teach for America, the recent private reincarnation of the 1960s Teacher Corps, sends college graduates to teach for two years in understaffed schools. One TFA participant warns those planning President Clinton's national service program that eight weeks of training is insufficient to train competent teachers. Unless teachers are smartly selected,…

Almost half of the 13 million children aged 13 and under are estimated to have no supervision after school hours. Communities and schools must develop responses to the problem tailored to local needs. (MD)

Studies the performance of four of Minnesota's school-choice programs. Finds positive impact on student participants' satisfaction, aspirations, and academic achievement; the importance of continuous monitoring and review of choice options; and general lack of support for negative predictions such as open enrollment "could destroy our…

An effective systemwide teacher supervision and evaluation program can be developed only if district leaders (representing the school committee, administration, and teacher association) carefully attend to the ELPS (the educational, legal, public-relations, and social/emotional components of the process). A Massachusetts district's experience is…

An assistant principal describes longterm benefits from her mentoring relationship with the principal of Santa Monica (California) High School. Chagrined at her principal's close, hands-on supervisory style, the assistant principal gradually gained experience and confidence. She learned that leadership is about serving others, compassion, and…

Presents findings of a case study of three New York City high schools conducted in 1980 to determine the effects of retrenchment. Focuses on six areas: instruction, programs, support services, facilities, equipment and supplies, and extracurricular activities. (WD)

In Oklahoma, a new law (H.B. 1706)--the product of efforts by educators at all levels--promises to provide a framework to strengthen the preparation, induction, and continuing education of teachers. (Author/WD)

According to a 1989 survey of urban high school juniors' and seniors' work experiences, these young people derive strong meaning from working, despite limits to the socialization power of work in their lives. Nonwhites had the highest career aspirations, but both whites and nonwhites were unclear about college plans. Businesses and schools should…