Background: This paper compares the findings from a recent, large-scale UK-wide survey of primary teachers' confidence in teaching science with the results of a seminal report carried out 10 years ago by Wynne Harlen in Scotland. Recent reports from across the UK have indicated there are still serious concerns relating to primary teachers'…

Showed that integrated science process skill achievement of prospective elementary teachers can be significantly improved by studying self-instructional materials providing instruction in these skills. (MLH)

Issues related to two questions are explored in this article: How much liberal education is enough for elementary school teachers? Should teachers be required to major in one of the liberal arts? (IAH)

Preparation, Orientation, and Induction of New Teachers (POINT) is a program of elementary teacher education at San Diego State University. It was planned cooperatively by 55 educators who concluded that a quality teacher education program should be built around significant teaching skills, rather than around mere completion of courses. Project…

This paper presents a model by which research data may be used to develop inservice programs in reading, based on teachers' needs and receptivity. An instrument was produced in which skills thought to be essential to reading instruction were described by 34 competencies. Teachers were asked to rate themselves in the teaching of reading according…

Explores three questions that can serve to guide teacher education programs: (1) What should the teacher be able to do? (2) What experiences will help the teacher learn the information necessary to be successful? and (3) How should the experiences be organized? (Author)

In response to PL 94-142, Northern Illinois University has developed a new concentration in its Elementary Education program--a minor in mainstreaming. The program is described and some evaluative data provided. One of seven descriptions in this issue of Dean's Grant programs for preservice training in PL 94-142. (SJL)

Describes a study designed to determine (1) the effects of training on the teaching skills of student teachers enrolled in a preservice program at a predominantly Black institution, and (2) the effects of supervising teachers' use of a feedback instrument on the attitudes and achievement of student teachers. (Author/GC)

The relationships between cooperating teacher behavior and student teacher behavior after microteaching experience were investigated. Skills in questioning students were emphasized for the student teachers. Findings indicated that the classroom ecological system, as shaped by the cooperating teacher's use of this skill, supported students…

Compared college professors' (N=37) and classroom teachers (N=96) views of competencies necessary for mainstreaming. The results indicated that teachers attach more importance to the set of competencies than do professors; there were significant differences between the two groups on approximately one-third of the items. (Author)

A key issue centering on the status of college-trained entrants relative to that of post-graduate entrants to teaching has been arguments over the merits and demerits of consecutive and concurrent courses. Attempts to chart the ebb and flow of such arguments since Plowden and to relate them to the continuing debate about the professional status of…

Argues for a radical restructuring of teacher training, which would put the needs of children before those of college lecturers. (Editor)

This study examined whether there was a relationship between preservice elementary teachers' competency in science process skills and attitudes toward the field of science. Study data came from 46 students enrolled in an elementary math and science methods course during their first senior semester, just before entering student teaching. Study…

To evaluate the effectiveness of their program for preparing elementary school teachers, Western Oregon State College collected data from 13 first-year elementary school teachers recommended for certification in 1986. Information was collected on beginning teachers' perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the general preparation received,…

Teachers and administrators often note that preservice programs do not prepare future teachers adequately to teach reading. Several Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states have addressed this problem. In 1997, the Georgia Professional Standards Review Commission began examining reading certification requirements and found that most teacher…