A pilot study of 13 preservice and 4 inservice teachers collected and analyzed data regarding how they progressed from early field experience through elementary school physical education. Results indicated that teachers improved their teaching effectiveness as they practiced teaching and were properly monitored with definite goals set. (CB)

Changes are taking place in teaching techniques as a result of the success of the Outward Bound program. From elementary schools to colleges, instructors and administrators are introducing aspects of the Outward Bound approach, which encourages the individual to discover his or her inner resources, strengths, and limitations. (Author/LBH)

Determined the influence of two types of practice (microteaching and modeling) used during process skills instruction on 29 preservice elementary teachers' acquisition and classroom utilization of those skills. Results indicated significant gains in skill acquisition using both methods, although neither method was found to be superior. (DS)

Teacher effectiveness training is a packaged training program taught by personnel trained in the technique. Elementary students of teachers given teacher effectiveness training, at the University of Florida, showed a significant increase in positive self-concept over students whose teachers did not receive this instruction. (Author)

A staff development program that conceptualizes the teacher as "executive," or manager of time factors, curriculum, and instruction would help teachers to deal with the complexities inherent in the modern elementary school classroom. (CJ)

A year-long teacher's discussion group, organized and coordinated by a school psychologist, is described. Sanctions for the meetings, the meeting format, the role of the school psychologist, and an evaluation of this intervention strategy are discussed. (Author/MH)

Evaluated whole-literacy curriculum's effects on literacy achievement among native Hawaiian students in grades K-6. Found that teachers entered curriculum project with proficiency in some areas of implementation, such as classroom organization, but required support in other areas, such as portfolio assessment. Also found that full implementation…

Presents results from a study investigating the effects of professional training on teachers' use of observations to assess elementary students. Describes the training program and its focus on professional empowerment, strategy development for observation-based assessment, and learning the value of peer support. Reports that participants'…

Examines the relationship between teachers' beliefs and their practices at Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11) in relation to the use of questioning. Explains that interviews and observation were used in collecting data from Key Stage 2 teachers at four British schools. Includes references. (CMK)

Describes how to become a better writing teacher, discussing strategies for students who do not finish their work, how to help children from other cultures write in their first language and in English, and how to help children with good ideas but poor writing and spelling skills. A game to help children understand conventions is included. (SM)

The effectiveness of teacher training for enhancing feelings of personal teaching efficacy was assessed for control and training-group teachers. Pretesting, posttesting, and followup examined personal and teaching efficacy, teaching satisfaction, and role integration. Results supported the value of training and of addressing teacher efficacy…

Suggests that teaching multiculturally must begin with self-inquiry--teachers must first examine the relationships among their fundamental values, attitudes, dispositions, belief systems, their teaching, and their students' diverse literacy learning. Describes a summer course designed to allow such self-reflection, and explores the course's impact…

To examine professional knowledge and growth, experienced elementary teachers completed open-ended interviews that highlighted memorable experiences in their professional lives. Results indicated that teachers preserved and built a sense of their own competence by developing a knowledgeable, malleable concept of professional practice. Their…

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln developed an experimental program, the Extended Elementary Teacher Education Program. This paper describes the effects of one central course, Human Technologies in Teaching, which emphasized collegiality, mentoring, and feedback. Participants believed that the program better prepared students to become successful…

This longitudinal study compared 66 beginning elementary teachers who had traditional teacher preparation backgrounds to 58 elementary intern teachers who were prepared via alternative certification programs. This comparison of California teachers was designed to determine patterns of development with regard to classroom performance and teacher…