Researchers have noticed a shift in education, with science and social studies taking a backseat to mathematics and literacy (Marx & Harris, 2006; Rodriguez, 2006). Some school districts are operating on a rotating basis with science instruction--one month on and one month off (Marx & Harris, 2006). A better approach would be to encourage students…

Within these last 20 years, professional development schools (PDSs) have emerged and become, for many, the sine qua non of teacher preparation and professional development. Over the past decade, as PDSs increasingly became a focus of reform efforts and a subject of conversation, regional PDS conferences proliferated. As a result of these efforts,…

Describes Frances McClelland Mayfarth's childhood, editorial work for the Association for Childhood Education, professorship at New York University, presidency of Wheelock College, work as a high school teacher, and retirement. (BC)

Discusses how the dimensions of the inquiry process--and applying this process to early-childhood teacher education--shape the challenge for early-childhood teacher educators to create a meaningful context for promoting inquiry as a lifelong endeavor for their students. Reviews several strategies to promote an inquiring and caring teacher/learning…

Shows how a university course in human growth and learning can provide multiple opportunities to explore the concept of community for preservice teachers. Provides a rationale for building community and discusses students' concerns with behavior management and school violence. Presents strategies that build communities, including demonstrating the…

Discusses how teacher educators can critically examine their own conceptual frameworks, teaching methods, strategies, and techniques, and how they can maintain dialog with colleagues to make more thoughtful decisions about their own teaching practices and to more effectively link course content and the learning process. (Author/KB)

Examines recent developments in education, such as those mentioned in the Carnegie Council's "Turning Points: Preparing American Youth for the 21st Century" and recommendations from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, that support increased specialization for middle grade teacher education programs. Reviews changes in…

In this article, the authors discuss the importance of education policies that aim at diminishing social disparities in poor countries, focusing on a program in higher education developed in the state of Rondonia in the Brazilian Amazon. Rondonia is a region in which people have suffered deeply from the consequences of social inequalities. Many…

Presents a short biography of Helen Heffernan, who is remembered for her years of service in the California State Department of Education, during which she developed educational programs that significantly influenced public education at every level. Heffernan developed programs for rural education, progressive education, kindergarten and preschool…

North Carolina recently developed a licensure program requiring teacher training to include the three strands of child development, early childhood education, and early childhood special education. This article describes the new licensure, explains its effects on both preservice and inservice teacher education, examines efforts to help higher…

Stories about teaching practice, as used in professional teacher education, are a valuable source of information about teaching and a worthwhile reflective exercise. As experienced teachers and preservice students shared and collaborated on writing stories in courses at a university in Australia, students gained a better understanding of…

Describes an early childhood mentorship model used at the University of South Florida to provide support to early childhood educators. Discusses the importance of mentoring for teacher retention. Presents findings from a professional needs survey of 84 graduates, of which a core group of 30 were identified as potential master cooperating teachers…