Identifies factors that account for the necessity of regionalization and constitute the basis of the process of regionalization. Describes the vision of educational space that determines the three stages of regionalization of the content of Russian education. States that educational regionalization in Sverdlovsk Oblast (region) is approaching the…

Reflection and change are pivotal themes in this paper, which outlines the rationale, methodology and principal findings of a research undertaking on teacher development in Ireland. The study was based on the premise that teachers' practices are guided in large measure by a "tacit knowledge" of education, formed in response to personal…

The field work for this study was conducted in South Africa in 1987-1989, before the end of apartheid, but much of the critical reflection and engagement postdates the empirical research. The project examined the role of the facilitator in the process of educational change. The research involved 34 teachers from primary schools. Chapter one…

This is the first report from a 3-year evaluation of Part B of the Eisenhower Professional Development Program, the U.S. Department of Education's single largest investment dedicated to developing teachers' knowledge and skills. The report presents 10 emerging themes about the program resulting from exploratory case studies of 6 school districts…

This paper examines teachers' perceptions of policy related to accountability and professional development in site-based management. The methodology included the development and administration of the Teacher Professional Development and Accountability Questionnaire. Dimensions in the questionnaire were derived from policy documents on…

This paper discusses how the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is meeting challenges related to the changing nature of professional development programs, focusing on programs featuring a system of shared decision making on matters of design and governance of program elements. After a commentary about CEHD…

Teacher mentoring programs are perceived as an effective staff development approach for beginning teachers. By establishing mentoring programs, districts serve two purposes: novice teachers get a strong start in their careers, and experienced classroom teachers serving as mentors receive recognition and incentives. Supporting beginning teachers at…

This monograph describes the Curriculum Inquiry Cycle (CIC), focusing on the first phase. The CIC is a professional development process that supports educators in making curriculum and instruction decisions responsive to state standards, local needs, and student characteristics. The process is designed to improve learning and teaching, with the…

In 1981, the Egyptian government sought assistance from the World Bank's International Developmental Agency for the Cairo Univesity-IDA Third Education Project. The World Bank loan was designated for training faculty leaders capable of modernizing instruction at Cairo University and for equipping the faculties of agriculture and medicine with…

The Soviet Union has embarked upon a five-year plan to improve education at all levels. Some of the major aspects of the reform movement include: (1) improving the status of teachers by providing salary increases from 25 to 35 percent and trying to entice more men to enter teaching; (2) trying to increase the birthrate by emphasizing preschool…

This document summarizes a catalogue report of major Minnesota proposals issued over the past two years (through the end of the 1985 legislative session) for improving the quality of K-12 public education in the State. The document provides an overview of the themes and highlights from the proposals, following the topical order used in the…

Many of the social reasons that prompted certain people to choose teaching careers in the past, when the only options available to them were bleak in comparison, are no longer valid. Talented people who enter teaching must now do so out of a positive attraction to teaching. Unfortunately, teaching has few positive attractions and those few it does…

A review of the literature on improving college instruction and improving college and university instructors produces two conflicting reactions. First, there are many fascinating and encouraging innovations being undertaken to raise the quality of college teaching. Second, although there has been change in higher education, it has not been…

A study was conducted to determine the diffusion of educational innovations to urban and rural government secondary schools of Thailand and to teachers within these schools. Data were acquired by selecting 38 schools at random and having 629 teachers, 38 principals, and 66 changwad (provincial) education officers complete questionnaires. Some of…

The authors describe the state-sponsored Illinois Vocational Instructor Practicum. This program provides financial support for teachers to spend up to eight weeks in a private sector position, allowing them to update their work when they return to the vocational education classroom. (CH)