This study investigated what teachers understood from reading, writing, and discussing a case versus just reading and writing. Analyses of writing and oral discourse from student, beginning, and experienced teachers indicated that the addition of discussion affected their thinking about the case, benefiting teachers at different experience levels…

By evoking the concept of memory pictures, the author recalls her early years as a teacher. Rather than calling herself a beginning teacher, she characterizes herself as a fledgling teacher to capture the insecurity associated with the first years of teaching. This experience is narrated through five memory pictures: (1) the new school's many…

This paper reports on a study that looked at the concerns of elementary school teachers in their second year of teaching and explored the role that institutions of higher education (IHE) might play in this phase of teachers' development. The sample was comprised of two groups of second year teachers (N=25); one group had participated in a…

This longitudinal study was conducted to develop and test the Career Path Model. This model was designed to help provide educators and policymakers with a sound basis for making decisions which enhance the retention of quality teachers and recognize the importance of job satisfaction in the extremely critical early years in the profession. Teacher…

Beginning teachers' learning is complex and personal: they learn about themselves as teachers; they fight with newly revealed selves endeavoring to change; and they engage in a struggle that is both emotional and intellectual. This report presents narratives, based on both journals and taped conversations, of the learning experiences of six novice…

Two-year longitudinal case studes were conducted of four teachers, beginning with the student teaching experience through the first year of teaching. The study explored ways in which teaching perspectives, evidenced at the end of student teaching, are strengthened or modified during the first year of teaching. It also sought to determine who and…

This paper reviews the major educational reform literature to identify commonalities of ways in which the reform movement is bringing changes to teacher education programs. The literature reviewed includes: (1) "A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform"; (2) "Tomorrow's Teachers: A Report of the Holmes Group";…

The goals of this study were: (1) to develop a methodology for describing competent classroom teaching performance; and (2) to analyze components of competent classroom decision making to be used in improving preservice and inservice teacher training programs. The study investigated differences in: (1) experienced and novice teachers' reports of…

An overview is presented of a study conducted to obtain teachers' perceptions of their personal and professional development. Focused interviews were conducted with 13 female and 2 male elementary school teachers whose teaching experience ranged from 4 to 28 years. Interpretation of the data resulted in an exploration of: (1) interactions between…

The purpose of this journal, addressed specifically to educators, is to describe, introduce, or translate results of research and development work funded by the National Institute of Education. The first article examines two secondary schools that are undertaking comprehensive efforts to improve their practices with help from the Wisconsin…

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of the 1971 summer training program conducted for 19 vocational instructors beginning their first year in teaching without previous teaching experience and training in teacher education. Hired from business and industry because of their technical competence in their field, the program…

This book presents the reflections of 53 award-winning first-year teachers who talk candidly about their successes and setbacks, emphasizing the relationships they formed with colleagues, university professors, and students' parents. It is based on discussions sparked by questions about supports that they needed in their first year of teaching and…

Recounts a student teacher's first experiences in the classroom and provides helpful commentary and suggestions from a more experienced teacher. Briefly discusses classroom management, learning styles, individual needs, time constraints, assessment, and instructional materials. Includes a list of activities that help promote an atmosphere of…

This study investigated relationships between teacher training and competence in Malta. Education officers, preservice teachers, and recent graduates were surveyed about teacher preparation, attitudes, and skills. Most beginning teachers had positive attitudes toward teaching. With increasing years, teachers felt more disillusioned and unsure…

Results are reported from an investigation into the influence of subject-specific coursework in the development of pedagogical content knowledge in English through contrasting case studies of six beginning English teachers, only three of whom graduated from teacher education programs. Implications for teacher education policy, research, and…