Beginning teachers have to figure out how to "fit in" once they "get in" their new work environments. New teachers do know they need to perform all aspects of their formal contracts. New teachers may not know there are also extra-role expectations that exist beyond those in the formal contract. The extra-role behaviors teachers…

Teachers and students alike tend to view appraisal as a means of testing and measuring varied strengths and weaknesses. Conventional appraisal is, however, only one approach to appraisal and not necessarily the best one for use in schools. A contemporary approach can facilitate personal choice and planned change. (BRR)

The article explores the debate of teaching creation in the public schools, what each group claims, the issues they overlook or neglect, why, and how educators can deal with the resulting confrontation and debate. Using evidence from the literature of each approach, the article suggests flaws in the logic of all three. (NQA)

Offers reasons for current public cry for schools to return "back to the basics." Maintains that 'basics' taught by schools are the same 'basics' of common sense family life and that parents at home, as well as teachers, must emphasize communication and provide a fertile ground for language learning. (NEC)

Urges teachers to become involved in developing and planning gifted and talented programs in their schools. Notes three barriers to program initiation: money, colleagues, and administrators. Suggests 10 guides for success in obtaining programs and stresses that success depends on hard work, risk taking, commitment, and working with others. (SB)

Discusses Indochinese students from the perspectives of the language barrier and the emotional stress of readjustment on these students in the school setting. Offers solutions which educators may use to overcome language and emotional difficulties. (CM)

Teachers can learn specific behaviors that will promote trust and cooperation in their communication with parents. Effective communication in the parent-teacher conference includes a friendly greeting, eye contact, readiness to listen, positive statements, open and reflective responses, discussion of problem areas based on work examples, and…

Offers a solution based on bargaining, mediation, and binding arbitration that allows teachers' input in developing work environments without producing disagreements which stop work. Stresses penalties for strikes. Suggests method of paying for bargaining process designed to insure that both parties will be realistic in their demands. (NEC)

For a peer tutoring strategy, procedures for the selection of tutors and tutees, the matching of tutors and tutees, and the training of tutors are discussed. Practical information to assist classroom teachers contemplating the development of a peer tutoring program is provided. (NEC)

Classroom teachers of terminally ill children face potentially difficult, challenging, rewarding and professionally expanding experiences which require an understanding of the basic needs of the dying. Strategies for teaching such children include literature, writing, role playing, magic circle discussions, play therapy, art therapy, counseling,…

Students of all abilities and backgrounds need to be involved in planning responsibilities at every level of their education. This involvement in the teaching-learning process is seen as a step to developing students' fullest potentials and to transferring learned skills to practice in adult life. (Author/DS)

Describes briefly the context in which education has developed over the past 20 years, some positive accomplishments that education has achieved during that time, and some causes for optimism for education in the future. Necessary changes and their implications for the future are discussed. (MH)

Mainstreaming of handicapped children who need unique nursing procedures, high caseloads, and decreasing numbers of school nurses have created an environment of potential harm to handicapped children. Educators without adequate training may assume treatment of these children, creating potential for malpractice lawsuits. Revised perceptions of…

A practical tool known as Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) can help the supervisor increase the potential of group planning as a means of facilitating curriculum improvement. PERT also provides a technique for integrating events and activities and acts as a catalyst to motivate communication, cooperation, and collaboration.…

Discusses a "debate" model using role-playing to develop a workable and compatible educational philosophy in which board members, administrators, and teachers can arrive at a statement of mutual agreement on educational goals, performance standards, and evaluation systems which are related to learning expectations. (JD)