Reports on effects of educational interventions on faculty and administration knowledge of, and attitude toward, student course evaluations. Aims to assess whether attitudes can be changed through education. Results suggest that interventions were effective, and even moderate instruction had the effect of improving attitudes toward student…

Presents results from the First Annual SubConference: A National Conference on Substitute Teaching. The theme was "Best Practices in Managing Substitute Teaching." The conference examined what works and what does not work concerning practices and policies related to substitute teaching. Topics included recruiting, screening, training,…

Initiating improved models of teacher practice requires a series of resolutions to guide staff-development efforts. The revamped scenario sets priorities among all the teacher's essential roles and responsibilities: learning, instructing, planning, writing, coaching, tutoring, and studying. Teacher competence and quality are also priorities. (MLH)

This article is an account of my search for professional identity as a new university lecturer through the use of the peer observation of teaching (POT) techniques. Through a synthesis of selected theoretical literature, associated critical reflection, and my own experiences of professional development through POT, the paper presents a conceptual…

The leadership of Qatar is greatly invested in its K-12 education reform, "Education for a New Era," because it views education as the key to the nation's economic and social progress. This study, one of a number of RAND studies that trace and document the reform process in Qatar, was designed to assess progress made in the first years…

This article describes the approach of a five-year initiative, funded by the National Science Foundation, to improve the teaching of mathematics and science in 10 rural school districts of Missouri. Traditional challenges of improving the professional practice of teachers are addressed through a regional partnership. External project evaluation…

"Peer mentoring,""peer coaching," and "colleagueship supervision" describe a process of professional improvement in which teachers assist other teachers in becoming more competent and innovative in the use of pedagogical skills. Recent evidence suggests that teachers feel the individuals most qualified to assist them…

The evaluation of teachers to see whether they meet state competency standards or should be considered for merit pay is usually limited to making sure they achieve a minimum level of performance and does not involve determining how their performance can be improved if they exhibit higher levels of competence. In Georgia's Fulton County, Mountain…

In response to an increasing demand for faculty evaluation, focus is on elements of a successful evaluation program. It is suggested that faculty must be consulted in order to arrive at a mutually agreed upon structure, incorporating such areas as which sources should provide the information or data on which the evaluation will be based. Another…

Faculty development has become an increasingly prominent concept for a growing number of faculty and administrators in American colleges and universities. To bring about the significant improvements in instruction demanded by the new and difficult issues facing higher education in the 1970's, it is essential that a faculty development program be…

A teacher portfolio--a collection of information about a teacher's practice--gives teachers a voice in selecting, presenting, and interpreting the work they do. Although portfolios can be used for a variety of purposes and for teachers at any developmental stage, this book focuses on their use by practicing teachers for the purposes of evaluation…

Summarizes discussions concerning six distinct issues of English teacher preparation, which were first delineated by the National Council of Teachers of English. Notes three additional issues that merit English teacher educators' careful attention: professional image, special preparation to serve "new" clienteles, and external control of the…

Examined the extent of implementation of the 1995-00 United Federation of Teachers-New York City contract agreement on annual teacher performance reviews, identifying factors impacting implementation. Survey and interview data indicate that few schools are implementing the performance review option, mainly due to lack of adequate training. Lack of…

Teaching portfolios are making their way into today's classrooms in three important ways: as habits of mind helping teachers define good practice; as processes teachers use for reflecting on their own teaching and learning; and as new teaching strategies mirroring student learning practices. (MLH)

Examines the relationship between teaching and research. Considers whether an emphasis on one or the other better serves the interests of communications departments. Adumbrates arguments suggesting that research undermines teaching and those suggesting the converse. Shares the results of a meta-analysis of existing research on the topic. Finds a…