Reduction in the size of classes from Kindergarten to Grade 3 was a major Liberal Party campaign promise in Ontario's 2003 provincial election. It was intended to demonstrate a new government's commitment to improving public education. By the 2008-09 school year, the provincial government's goals had been achieved: over 90% of all primary classes…

The experiences of five mentors for beginning teachers in an urban school district were examined in this study. The results of interviews with the mentors revealed that they felt a sense of increased confidence and maturity in dealing with other adults, a more clearly defined set of beliefs about teaching and curriculum, and a more objective…

This publication provides evaluative information to decision makers at the state and local levels to assist in making judgments about the extent to which the goals of the Model Career Options Program (MCOP) were attained. The MCOP goals are: (1) to provide an opportunity for teachers to expand their professional horizons and explore new avenues in…

Telling teaching stories assists prospective teachers in becoming effective teachers of elementary school children. It offers preservice teachers and teacher educators the challenge of seeing themselves and the opportunity to reflect on their goals and practices. (IAH)

Provides information and suggestions for potential candidates in the community college job market in languages and literature. Discusses the mission of community colleges and characteristics of their students; teaching opportunities and experiences in community colleges; reasons to teach in a community college; applying for a position; faculty…

Background/context: Professional development is an important element of professional practice and teachers are expected to engage in activities that not only improve practice but also have a positive impact on pupil learning. Physical educators worldwide have acknowledged the need to improve the continuing education of teachers and have called…

As interest in expanding the number of high quality charter schools available to parents and students has grown, policy makers have increased their focus on identifying and providing support to new charter programs that have the potential to improve student outcomes and satisfy parent and student needs. Since 1994, the U.S. Department of Education…

The 2012 National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education was designed to provide up-to-date information and to identify trends in the areas of teacher background and experience, curriculum and instruction, and the availability and use of instructional resources. A total of 7,752 science and mathematics teachers in schools across the United…

This book represents the results of a 15-year study based on case studies of the development of four teachers' pedagogical thinking. It illustrates how teachers' thinking (about children's behavior, development, learning, and teaching) develops over time based on their personal and professional life experiences. Data come from regular, periodic…

This study was designed to better understand teachers as users of personal knowledge, examining teachers in inclusive one-teacher, Seventh Day Adventist schools. The study examined teachers' beliefs about teaching and learning, teachers' personal practical knowledge, teachers' professional identity, contextual factors that enabled or constrained…

Reports a study that examined how academic qualifications, professional training, teaching experience, and professional development affected teacher professionalism. Surveys of secondary teachers from 11 Singapore schools indicated that academic qualifications and teaching experience did not affect professionalism, but that professional…

Discusses the role of teacher experience in modifying curricula and maintaining skill level. Uses three case studies to demonstrate that teachers possess the skills to create pragmatic curricula and enhance their own skills. Suggests that teachers who transform themselves from deskilled technicians to reskilled practitioners question the…

Presents information on beginning teaching experiences from the journals and taped conversations of six novice teachers. The article discusses the influence of teacher background and examines teachers' opinions that they learn more through teaching and daily encounters with students than through inservice workshops and university courses. (SM)

Reviews ideas about critical reflection in relation to the student teaching experience and art teacher preparation. Investigates the use of writing as a means for reflection in a study analyzing 19 final reflection essays in order to determine the role of reflection in student teachers' perceptions of their professional development. (CMK)

Colleges and universities are adopting learning communities to increase student learning and build cohesion. As learning communities grow in popularity, institutions need to invest in faculty development (Oates, 2001) and understand faculty experiences (Mullen, 2001). The University of Hartford created a program that prepared faculty for…