This study seeks to identify classes of characteristics cited by education students (N=54) at the University of Botswana as contributing to the perceived effectiveness or ineffectiveness of their own primary school teachers. Respondents provided demographic information about themselves and the identified teachers, and they rank-ordered 14…

The evaluation of the content validity of the Functional Academic Skills Tests (FAST) are described. The FAST was designed to assess the competency of inservice teachers in the Houston, Texas Independent School District in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills. Validation standards were based on the Equal Employment Opportunity…

An experiment was conducted to investigate three orthogonal dimensions of school districts--per pupil wealth, urbanization, and socioeconomic status--and three aspects of schools--socioeconomic status, weighting of teacher behaviors by principals, and type of supervisory organization--in relation to the level or status of and the valuing of two…

This selective abstract bibliography cites 130 recent ERIC documents which describe various approaches to the preparation of teachers of young children. Entries included are from "Research in Education" (RIE), July 1972 through July 1974, and from "Current Index to Journals in Education" (CIJE), December 1973 through August…

This paper describes the development of an experimental, alternative, graduate-level preservice teacher education program at Fordham University, the Internship Fellowship Program. The 15-month program includes an Instructional Training Laboratory (ITL) during the first summer, which supports the intern's acquisition of cognitive and performance…

Accuracy in the scoring of writing is critical if standardized tasks are to be used in a national assessment scheme. Three approaches to establishing accuracy (i.e., consensus, consistency, and measurement) exist and commonly large-scale assessment programs of primary school writing demonstrate adjacent agreement consensus rates of between 80% and…

This study was undertaken to describe ways in which "performance oriented" teachers in Maryland communicate learning targets, elements of quality, and standards for performance to their students. Surveys were distributed to approximately 90 participants at the annual meeting of the Maryland Assessment Consortium and to 72 scoring team…

This study investigated the perceptions and attitudes of practicing teachers towards minimum competency testing for teachers. A 5-point Likert-type general attitude scale was constructed by standard procedure, using item analysis and factor analysis. Eight perspectives from which a teacher may perceive teacher minimum competency testing were…

This paper reports on the design of an on-line simulation that enhanced preservice teacher practicum experience in the important area of literacy teaching. Research with more than 200 users of the simulation showed that it developed pre-service teacher understanding of complex classroom situations associated with the teaching of literacy by giving…

This report is introduced by a history of the development and implementation of the Nevada Competency Testing Program for Educational Personnel. The study examined the test taking histories of persons entering the Nevada educational system to determine how well the competency testing program was accomplishing its purpose of ensuring that new…

This paper reports on findings from a 1990-93 PACE (Primary Assessment, Curriculum and Experience) study concerning the impact of the United Kingdom's Education Reform Act on teachers' professional perspectives and responses to change. Data are drawn from interviews with a national sample of 88 teachers and more intensive classroom study…

As part of the Louisiana state teacher assessment program to enhance student learning, this manual provides suggestions and resources for teacher practice keyed to attributes of the "Louisiana Components of Effective Teaching." Each of these attributes is accompanied by suggested strategies, evidence of completion, and resources. The…

This book presents 15 papers on the subject of what teachers must know for effective teaching. The book organizes the papers into three parts: Part I offers papers on teaching particular academic subjects, Part II offers papers on the diverse needs and types of students, and Part III offers conclusions. The following papers are in Part I: (1)…

This collection of five symposium papers explores the initial design and development of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations. The papers refer to work in progress to assess knowledge and skills associated with subject-matter knowledge and knowledge and skills in instruction and the profession of teaching. The following papers are…

This book, written as an extended letter to teachers, addresses the concerns teachers have for their work with students and reflects on the art of teaching. The letter is developed around 12 chapters: (1) "Toward Large Purposes" places teachers' work in a philosophical as well as a pedagogical and curricular perspective; (2)…