Reports a study that assessed changes in student teachers' attitudes toward inner-city teaching resulting from participation in a field-based practicum in an urban elementary school. Pre- and postpracticum surveys indicated that such experiences can yield positive results as long as certain crucial elements are in place. (SM)

Reports a study that examined which career-related values were prevalent among female student teachers, noting patterns related to their decisions to teach. Interviews indicated that five values related to their choice of teaching as a career: sociopolitical empowerment, spiritual empowerment, intellectual empowerment, cross-cultural relations,…

Examines a teacher training program designed to reaffirm the cultural and linguistic identity of Quechua-speaking Peruvians and present preservice teachers with curricula rooted in realities of the region. Surveys indicated that the program successfully trained teachers to see themselves as role models for students and the community. (SM)

Canadian preservice teachers were sent to volunteer in an inner-city Native American elementary school in order to gain some understanding of other cultures and thus examine their own attitudes toward race and culture. The program helped students understand the role of communication in communities and in teaching. (SM)

This study examined the effects of four preservice teacher education courses (two in multicultural education, a field experience, and student teaching in urban areas) on preservice teachers' perceptions of their multicultural knowledge and attitudes. Findings indicated that subjects' perceptions of multicultural knowledge and attitudes were…

This paper describes activities of Morehead State University (Kentucky) to support public schools in adjusting to state-mandated educational reforms in curriculum, instruction, assessment, support for children and their families, shared decision-making, and paradigm shifts from Skinnerian behaviorism concepts to social constructivism. Activities…

This report examines the effectiveness of Texas' Centers for Professional Development of Teachers (CPDTs) in addressing diversity as part of educational excellence. The state board of education's five proficiencies for teachers provide the framework within which the report describes program characteristics. For each proficiency, the report…

In this handbook, information from research in education and psychology that has practical application in the classroom is used to help student teachers deal with some of the problems connected with classroom management, such as discipline and motivating students to learn. The book is organized into four parts. Part 1 is devoted to the beginnings…

Analysis of teacher trainee performance ratings collected from special education teacher trainees (N=151), university supervisors (N=9), and cooperating teachers (N=44) revealed that all three groups perceived identical factors--instructional management, cognitive strategies instruction, and career/vocational education--as underlying the construct…

This study was designed to explore the ways in which preservice teachers' reflective judgment levels influenced their perceptions of and decisions about complex and ill-defined dilemmas they encountered in their field placement classrooms. Participants were ten traditional-aged juniors in a college teacher preparation program who were completing a…

This case study reports on the experiences of teachers and student teachers during the process of developing and implementing professional development sites (PDSs) at one urban and two rural middle schools. The study examines the phases of development that teachers go through in the process of developing PDSs and how teachers' level of development…

This study examined intern attrition within one urban secondary Professional Development School (PDS). The secondary school was 80 percent minority. Data were collected over 2 years using participant observation, semi-structured interviews, PDS questionnaires, intern personal journals, and document analysis of resignation letters. Informants…

Discusses the special challenges presented to classroom teachers in identifying low income, gifted students and describes an independent field study conducted by a preservice teacher in a school with an at-risk population. Concludes that improved teacher attitudes could be fostered by applying educational theory to classroom practice as a…

This study explored how preservice elementary teachers experienced coursework and field experiences that fostered commitment to socially and pedagogically progressive teaching, especially development of against-the-grain perspectives. Interviews and observations indicated that against-the-grain perspectives evolved from complex interactions of…

Research on a week-long internship in inner city Chicago schools and community agencies revealed that "border crossing" can assist social studies preservice teachers in learning about the inner city, but critical reflection and long term program commitment to unlearning racism and developing multicultural teaching competencies are…