Describes IMPACT II, an experimental teacher-to-teacher network that encourages teacher-initiated innovations by offering "developer" and "replicator" grants. Reports the results of a survey evaluation of the project and concludes that innovation works best from the bottom up. (Author/WD)

Outlines the Intern-Intervention Program of Toledo, Ohio, that uses experienced teachers to train and evaluate both beginning teachers and experienced teachers with problems. (MD)

In schools across the country, there is increased emphasis on coaching--a process whereby seasoned teachers provide instructional support, professional development opportunities, feedback, and materials to classroom teachers--as a central means to improve instruction and build the capacity of school staff members. Currently, a number of districts…

Describes a pilot project in the schools of Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), where the model of teachers-as-researchers encourages teachers to explore aspects of their own teaching and question their practices. It is seen as a form of professional development allowing teachers to develop their own theories and enhance their teaching skills. (MD)

Recommended starting points for educational reform include streamlining the governance structure; extending the school year; returning greater responsibility to parents for student performance; instituting more challenging curricula and grading systems; establishing programs for gifted students; improving teacher salaries, training, and licensing;…

In November 1999, participants in "The McLaughlin Group," a weekly PBS talk show, peremptorily decided that progressive education and teacher preparation programs were to blame for public education's failings. This article also discusses teacher competency testing, expansion of alternative teacher certification in Colorado, and direct…

In his February 2004 Kappan article, Mike Schmoker called into question the effectiveness of many of the major reform efforts of the past two decades. In particular he made the case that strategic planning efforts and whole-school reform efforts have been mostly ineffective because planning cycles are too long and implementation is too complex and…

Offers 12 rules for using feedback to effect change and describes a system for stimulating change in teaching behavior in a school setting. (Author/IRT)

Educational reform could be stunted if questionable staffing practices (emergency certificates, misassignment of teachers, and alternative routes to certification) continue and become more prevalent due to the predicted teacher shortages. Outlines the National Education Association's six-point program and the American Federation of Teacher's…

Negative consequences of minimum competency testing for teacher candidates include the waste of human potential resulting from the disproportionately high failure rate of minority teacher candidates and the danger of lessening the pressure for needed curriculum reforms. This essay urges seeking alternative methods for improving the quality of…

Demonstrates how teachers--without disrupting their teaching duties--can increase their effectiveness by conducting research on teaching methods in their own classrooms, using simple data collection techniques and research methods permitting confident development of hypotheses and research strategies. (PGD)

Describes the teachers-as-learners concept employed by Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound's extended workshop on the Cherokee Nation Trail of Tears. Journal excerpts describing one teacher's experience are provided, along with lessons learned from treaty negotiations with a federal judge and Cherokee tribal representatives. "Summit"…

Leading-edge states, districts, and unions are beginning to implement knowledge- and skills-based pay systems for teachers. PRAXIS and other performance assessment tools are described, along with sample assessment and salary schedule combinations. Effective principal leadership and yearly bonuses between $1,500 and $3,000 ensure sufficient…

American students' knowledge of Indian history and culture is woefully inadequate. Montana now requires its teachers to remedy this situation, but it has become clear that, to do so, they themselves must first be re-educated. In this article, the author shares her experience developing an online course that would help teachers meet the…

Public kindergarten in the last 12 years has experienced five positive trends: (1) more children have access; (2) local funding and control have increased; (3) more five-year-olds attend for longer hours; (4) states hire more experienced teachers; and (5) more states require schooling at age five. (CJH)