Teacher thinking research examines teachers' thought processes and makes suggestions for training. Organizational analysis stresses the importance of teacher commitment and redesign of existing schools in increasing teacher collegiality and participation. This article juxtaposes these two literatures and suggests ways to combine divergent images…

Explores the multi-faceted interventions schools must evolve if they are to make significant headway in addressing barriers to learning. Reviews how schools currently address barriers to learning, discusses deficiencies in current approaches, and outlines work designed to provide a new conceptual and programmatic framework for policy and practice,…

Presents an interview about learning communities with Ann Lieberman, known for her work in teacher leadership and development, educational change, collaborative research, and partnerships. The interview addresses characteristics of schools with professional learning communities; how such schools are created; necessary external supports; on-the-job…

Professional development is the catalyst to transforming theory into current best teaching practices. In order to provide effective professional development, there are many variables that must be considered by the school principal including teacher beliefs and receptivity, the school climate, and available local school support. Ultimately,…

What skills are needed for coaching? What coaching strategies enhance the coach-teacher interaction? What kinds of support do coaches need? The Center for the Enhancement of Science and Mathematics Education at Northeastern University (CESAME) and The Education Alliance at Brown University analyzed an online seminar for elementary mathematics…

Many people feel mathematics education in the U.S. is in need of improvement. Fennema and Franke (1992) note that teachers' knowledge (or lack thereof) is often associated with poor instruction and thus, low student achievement on instruments which measure mathematical aptitude. For this reason, universities across the country have become…

NCTM Past President Cathy L. Seeley shares her messages on today's most relevant topics and issues in education. Based on Cathy L. Seeley's award-winning NCTM President's Messages, and including dozens of new messages, this must-have K-12 resource offers straight talk and common sense about some of today's most important, thought-provoking issues…

This paper describes the findings of a survey of Higher Education teachers and students using the eLearning platform Claroline. This survey is enhanced by direct observation of the tools really used by teachers. Claroline was initially developed (in 2001-2002) to sustain and foster pedagogic innovation at the Universite Catholique de Louvain (UCL)…

This report describes Ohio's school restructuring efforts under the No Child Left Behind Act, including findings from interviews with state officials and case studies of nine schools in four school districts: Cincinnati Public Schools, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Mansfield City Schools, and Mount Vernon City Schools. Key findings from…

The principal aim of this study is to explore the self-perception of change in teaching practice by lecturers who have graduated from the Postgraduate Certificate in Third Level Learning and Teaching Course over a period extending from 2000-2003. A qualitative questionnaire was distributed to the 45 successful graduates of the course to establish…

This article examines Scottish Catholic school managers' perceptions of continuing professional development (CPD), and in particular their views of CPD for the purpose of faith formation of Catholic teachers in their schools. Set against the background of the major CPD reforms that are currently taking place in Scotland as a result of the McCrone…

In order for teachers to improve their effectiveness, they must be knowledgeable about student learning, curriculum developments, and new instructional approaches. This document discusses learning, curriculum reform, and teacher improvement. Chapter 1, "The National Perspective" (Stephen J. Fitzsimmons and Larry C. Kerpelman), prepares…

"First wave" educational reform has resulted in various state and local incentive and pay-for-performance programs, such as Tennessee's career ladder program offering extended contract opportunities for teachers and administrators achieving a certain performance status. While the intent was to reward excellence, offer supplemental pay…

An emphasis on improving the teaching of geography at the undergraduate level can result in an increase in geography majors at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Therefore, the discipline must develop and disseminate new approaches to teaching geography and must supply current information to faculty. Since the first contact many students have…

The classroom is at the heart of the often-mixed messages of school reform and school practice. Educators must make sense of these mixed messages in order to engage in the work of teaching. Viewing educators as social agents amid the complexity of educational discourse and practice provides a distinctly different lens on reform than those…