A teacher of children with multiple handicaps and the mother of a child in the class describe changes made as they worked together to create a more open and child-centered classroom. (RH)

The present level of competence in teaching and the quality of teacher education are discussed. More emphasis should be placed on graduate professional education programs, which would draw the "best and the brightest." Eight recommendations for improving preservice teacher education are given, including creation of a teaching doctorate and…

One small, rural high school used cooperative professional development (CPD) as a means of group investigation to promote school renewal. CPD involves teaching, identifying, studying, and reporting on an issue of importance to teachers and their school. This paper describes how the school implemented and used CPD, examining lessons learned.…

Addresses how to design teacher education and professional development in schools in ways that support urban school reform efforts. Analyzes factors that hinder the full incorporation of research findings in preservice teacher preparation programs, and explores strategies that strengthen the relationship between research and practice. (GR)

Uses the literature on teacher change and learning to teach, and examples from a teacher change research project, to examine how research can be used to bring about change in teaching practices. Suggests that the empirical premises derived from research, combined with a teacher's practical knowledge, can produce teacher change. (FMW)

Whole-faculty study groups show promise as a vehicle for integrating initiatives and focusing school improvement efforts on increased student learning. The paper describes the San Diego Unified (City) School District's experiences in developing and implementing successful whole-faculty study groups. The groups increased collegiality and improved…

Identifies six principles to inform professional development of mathematics teachers in the United Kingdom for the 1990s: (1) Localization; (2) Personalization; (3) Collaborative Practice; (4) Training the Trainers; (5) Whole School Policies; and (6) National Planning. (MDH)

Describes the collaboration between Bowling Green city schools and Bowling Green State University. Higher education faculty and K-12 teachers work in each other's classrooms to improve instruction, facilitate curriculum development, and enhance faculty development. The article describes partnership projects, elaborates one case study, and…

The article reviews the history of staff development in general, discusses characteristics, problems, and limitations of the present, and examines the future, noting philosophical issues affecting the future of the National Staff Development Council. (SM)

Maintains that professional development for teachers should begin at recruitment and end at retirement and be an important part of the national education reform as put forward by the Goal 2000 Educate America Act and the Improving America's Schools Act. (BB)

Used data from interviews, surveys, and document analysis to describe the methods and reform processes of the Saber Tooth Project, examining selection of sites; demographics (school sites, teachers, data sources, and project assumptions); and project phases (development, planning, implementation, and support). The project's method of reform was…

Investigated stresses confronted by Portuguese secondary mathematics teachers during the first semester in a master's course, Perspectives on Mathematics Education, noting how they negatively affected teachers' self-confidence and morale and discussing fundamental issues teachers addressed in bridging the academic mathematics and mathematics…

Describes a study of a staff development project in multicultural education involving teachers from two contiguous school districts, highlighting structural constraints to change. Interviews and observations indicated staff development for multicultural education should be part of a whole-school reorganization rather than a separate activity to…

Examines findings of Professional Development School (PDS) researchers on the potential of PDSs to change and improve the quality of education, discussing Holmes Group research, describing barriers that have limited the contribution from PDS research, and arguing for greater focus on professional development, leadership, and policy if the PDS…

Argues that in order to ensure that environmental education is sustainable, a systemic approach to changing its institutional framework should be used. Presents an example of the systemic approach used in Norway, outlining the four areas of system change. (CMK)