The arts disciplines (visual arts, music, theatre, and dance) merit and require formal study. Policy makers should support studies in the arts as core disciplines, as specified in the "Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)," the federal legislation that sets policy and appropriations for public education. The arts merit and…

Testing for admission to a teacher education program, testing subject matter knowledge, testing competence, and testing a teacher's understanding of children are all discussed. The value of a continuing program of evaluation of prospective teachers is stressed. (Author/MT)

Describes teacher certification processes at Indiana University and the new standards and induction to teaching. Concentrates on preservice teachers and their performance-based teacher certification which includes preparing a cohesive sequence of instruction and lesson plans. Discusses the role of the mentor. (ASK)

This article discusses the unique situation of foreign language teachers in public schools and the programs that prepare these teachers. It is argued that generic teacher education programs inadequately speak to the needs of future foreign-language teachers and that conventional inservice programs offer little. Recommendations are offered. (MT)

The concepts of teacher warranties and teacher productivity could revolutionize teaching and teacher preparation. The subtleties and complexities of these concepts are explored, and their potential impact on teacher education is discussed. (Author/MT)

Rather than being neutral, teacher education is grounded in a set a values that are culturally defined and politically transmitted. These values, and their political significance in terms of power and control issues, go far toward defining the educational experience that students and teachers, both in the schools and in universities, have.…

Reflects on previous articles in the same journal that address the preparation of special education teachers. The need for preparation programs to clearly identify necessary expertise and evaluate its acquisition with rigor is discussed, along with the need to prepare professionals to function in the community beyond the classroom. (CR)

The concept of teacher warranties is discussed using student performance data from three third-grade classrooms. The complexities of fostering learning across students and across subject areas are illustrated. How teacher productivity can be measured and the impact on teacher education institutions are addressed. (MT)

The California Commission on the Teaching Profession issued its report in November 1985. This article discusses the 10 recommendations which directly affect teacher education. Strategies associated with each recommendation are presented along with several comments and concerns. (MT)

While Michigan students learn a variety of skills in their time at school, perhaps the most important charge of public schools, beyond providing a safe and healthy environment, is to ensure that students are learning their three fundamental skills: reading, writing and arithmetic. Unfortunately, the achievement levels of Michigan public school…

This article explores current teacher education program evaluation practice, describes problems arising from inadequate evaluation, and outlines an improved procedure for obtaining data about program effects. An Institutional Board Review of graduates is proposed as a source of information for program evaluation, as well as a benefit to…

Recent reforms intended to strengthen teacher preparation programs are reviewed. Attributes of ideal teacher candidates before and after training are listed, and recommendations to improve training and professionalize teaching are discussed. (MT)

Educational reform developments focusing on academic issues are contrasted with those emphasizing teacher performance. The concept of quality assurance in teacher education is considered, as is using student achievement as an indicator of teacher effectiveness. (Author/MT)

Disagreement about what constitutes good teaching persists because people's perceptions of education and of teaching are often bound up in their ideologies and undisclosed prejudices. Concentration on the form of the educational enterprise--on what is universal, as opposed to subjective--is urged. Implications for supervisors and for evaluation of…

Eight members of the education community (e.g., students, teachers, college faculty, and administrators) respond to a question about the impact of high-stakes testing of teachers and students on teaching and teacher education. Their responses focus on such issues as test bias, at-risk students, specific state responses, and testing of students…