Researchers investigated the optimum length of teacher inservice activities where increasing teacher efficacy was the goal. Participants were elementary science teachers from seven teacher enhancement projects conducted from 1992-99. The length breakdown of each program was: 1992--6 weeks; 1994--6 weeks; 1995--4 weeks; 1996--4 weeks; 1997--4…

Much is being emphasized in staff development in the area of reading instruction. It is important for each teacher to study and think reflectively about what can be done to improve the reading curriculum. One procedure that can be used is to hold a quality workshop based on the needs of teachers in reading instruction. The theme should be decided…

This study compared data from an evaluation of one school district's teacher staff development programs, using the True Score Theory and Item Response theory. Participants were elementary school teachers who reported on 20 staff development programs in reading. They completed the Teachers' Perception of the Impact of a Staff Development (TPISD),…

This report describes the professional development experiences of teachers in high-performing, high-needs (HPHN) schools. Researchers surveyed K-5 teachers from 10 schools in a district with large numbers of impoverished students, examining: teachers' perceptions of the characteristics and outcomes of their professional development experiences;…

Discusses various aspects of in-service training sessions in science for British elementary school teachers, including who attends and kinds of sessions they prefer. Stresses the need for head teachers and consultant teachers to take more in-service training. Recommends school-based in-service training for all staff members. (JN)

Examines how elementary teachers' understanding of new writing assessments and beliefs about students as writers mediate their acceptance of new narrative-writing assessment methods, noting dilemmas teachers face, staff developers' roles in resolving dilemmas, and ways teachers handle change. Experiences of teachers involved in the Writing What…

Reports a study that analyzed the processes of educational innovation in seven projects in the Andalusian region of Spain. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, the study determined that the quality of the impact of innovation on students, teachers, schools, and communities was determined by the original source, the relationship to perceived…

In a letter to a student with disabilities who is included in mainstream education, a school psychologist shares issues, concerns, and insights about their year together. The letter examines what this student taught school personnel and peers and explains that inclusion is nothing more than quality education for all students. (SM)

Examined the change process experienced by 14 third-grade teachers participating in the University of Colorado Assessment Project, which helped teachers design and implement classroom-based performance assessments compatible with their mathematics and literacy instructional goals. Teachers made several significant changes in their ideas about…

Focuses on the effects of a program that taught cooperating teachers at the primary school level in the Netherlands coaching skills for teachers-in-training. Reports that the trained cooperating teachers were not rated higher than the untrained teachers, but the cooperating teachers saw the coaching conferences as positive for their own teaching…

Describes a scheme of developmental classroom visits used in an inservice program for primary school teachers of English in Singapore. The observation series sought to develop teachers' critical thinking abilities by emphasizing focused content goals, links to course materials, teacher responsibility, teacher self-development, constructive help,…

Reports on the effectiveness of a teacher development project in promoting implementation of a comprehensive school health education curriculum among urban elementary teachers. Data collected throughout the project period at five schools indicated that teacher development efforts, including training and ongoing reinforcement to increase teachers'…

Inductive analyses of the journals of eight elementary, cooperating teachers revealed several consequences of having student teachers, including interruption of instruction, teacher displacement, disruption of classroom routine, breaking teachers' isolation, and shifting teachers' time and energy. (IAH)

This article describes the training procedure used in a preservice curriculum and methods course to prepare elementary education students to receive and provide peer coaching. Results are presented from a survey of students who participated in the peer coaching experience. In general, preservice teachers expressed positive feelings about the…

Study investigated the development of elementary teachers' professional knowledge while involved in a qualitative research process. Teachers took the graduate course "Trends and Issues in Education" which involved them as researchers. They kept journals and recorded class sessions and individual conferences, discovering that as…