Reform-based curriculum materials have been suggested as a mechanism to make inquiry-based instruction more prevalent in secondary science classrooms, specifically when accompanied by comprehensive professional development (Loucks-Horsley, Hewson, Love, & Stiles, [1998]; Powell & Anderson, [2002]). This research examines the implementation of a…

Increasing numbers of young children with disabilities are receiving services in inclusive settings such as Head Start. It is important to note that positive outcomes for young children with disabilities are due in large part to practitioners' understanding and implementation of both recommended practices in both early care and education and early…

This article describes the experiences of two US teacher groups and their lesson study work. Their stories illustrate some of the dynamics and promise of teacher change spurred by lesson study. The first case is primarily about teacher efficacy, as a group of teachers discover through lesson study that their planning and work can have an impact on…

This study investigated Turkish teachers' levels of commitment to their schools, the tasks involved in teaching, work groups, and the occupation. A 28-item scale was administered to 302 teachers working in public high schools in the districts of Zonguldak and in the city center. The questionnaire asked about their commitment to the school;…

This paper describes the development of a framework to better understand how teachers think about and approach instructional practices. Over 1 year, researchers worked with teacher groups in 5 schools, exploring their perspectives, experiences, and understanding about teaching through observations, interviews, journals, and dialogues. The…

This study documented small groups of teachers who collaborated formally and informally while working on various collaborative teams. The study involved New York City's International High School, which serves recent immigrants from about 60 countries. The school helps students develop linguistic, cognitive, and cultural skills necessary to succeed…

Factors that make teacher collaboration difficult include teachers' beliefs about themselves and others, professional isolation, and weak collaboration skills. These barriers can be overcome if teachers develop relationships with their teaching partners, develop their collaboration skills, and focus on students and their needs as a shared goal.…

This study explored attitudes of 50 general educators and educators working with gifted students regarding linkage between the general and gifted education programs. Suggestions for increasing communication, cooperation, and collaboration between general and gifted practitioners are provided. (Author/PB)

Proposes that teachers who undergo accommodative change do so if they are internally motivated to learn; become aware of their implicit ideas and practices and critically examine them; construct alternative knowledge, beliefs, and practices; resolve conflicts between the prior and the new set of ideas and practices; and do so in a social climate…

A naturalistic study of seven elementary teachers revealed they were keenly aware of teaching's moral and relational purposes. Teachers recognize the importance of consistent classroom management that respects children, caring relationships, and commitment to professional growth and collaboration with other teachers. Administrator support helps…

A recent survey shows that Texas elementary teachers believe most students' science-education needs are adequately met in their schools. About 12 percent of 85,000 teachers are involved in collaborative ventures related to teaching and learning in science. Teachers recommended developing better science curricula and preservice courses. (MLH)

Teacher collaboration and support given from one teacher to another, focused on improving teaching and learning in the classroom, are notable by their absence in secondary schools in Bangladesh. This article identifies a number of constraints to developing a collaborative culture including the difficulty of the curriculum, the perceived low…

This article draws on a Norwegian project--in one primary and one lower secondary school--that had the aim of creating a shared understanding of classroom management and that resulted in a handbook on classroom management at each of these schools. Teacher reflection and teacher sharing were vital in this project initiated from the outside yet…

This report presents findings stemming from the first-year evaluation of the Texas Educator Excellence Grant (TEEG) program, one of several statewide performance incentive programs in Texas. In June 2006, Governor Perry and the 79th Texas Legislature created the Governor's Educator Excellence Award Program, one component of which is the TEEG…

This paper examines the practice of online discussion in a course specially tailored for in-service teachers who are pursuing their basic degree qualification at a teacher training institute. Analyses of postings to the asynchronous electronic discussion group were made according to the type of postings as proposed by Poole (2000). Four focus…