This report describes the professional development experiences of teachers in high-performing, high-needs (HPHN) schools. Researchers surveyed K-5 teachers from 10 schools in a district with large numbers of impoverished students, examining: teachers' perceptions of the characteristics and outcomes of their professional development experiences;…

Discusses the meaning and benefits of collaboration and how to determine if a program's policies and standards reflect and reinforce the value of collaboration. Offers strategies for building and sustaining collaborative relationships with families and for supporting the collaborative efforts of teaching staff. (TJQ)

Discusses recommendations for redesigning teacher education programs and addresses the need for professional development of teacher educators to meet the need for program design. Highlights include integrating and implementing technology; commitment toward change; obstacles to using technology; attitudes toward technology use; the narrative of…

Discusses issues regarding the mainstreaming or locating of English-as-a-Second- (ESL) or Additional- (EAL) Language in the mainstream curriculum classroom. Presents the perspectives of the class teachers who are responsible for language and learning development of these students and reports on interviews with the class teachers who have…

A study of 44 rural midwestern teachers participating in three telecollaborative projects examined their experiences with technology use. Results indicate teachers attributed improved student learning to technology use; online communication with peers and experts reduced teacher isolation, enhanced professional practice, and gave access to…

Interviews with experienced British mentors working within a collaborative model of preservice teacher education examined their constructs of good mentors. They viewed mentors who provided regular time, immediate feedback, and sufficient availability as most effective and felt that new teachers needed training in their role as classroom teachers…

This article discusses strategies for increasing general education teacher participation in Individualized Education Program (IEP) development, in the following areas: team connection issues, time issues, preparation issues, training issues, and IEP relevance issues. A sample IEP meeting agenda is provided, along with results from an IEP…

Describes how teachers and university researchers collaborated to discuss the teaching of students at-risk due to various social and economic barriers. They used action research to better understand unique teacher identities shaped in classroom settings with large numbers of these students. Teacher stories revealed that, as key interagency team…

A survey of special education (n=95) and general education (n=73) co-teachers found they had little scheduled mutual planning time. Teachers agreed about who takes responsibility for evaluation, but each group believed itself more responsible for instruction and behavior management. Few teachers experienced the teacher preparations rated most…

The attrition rate of 1st-year special education teachers is a mounting concern. Researchers have identified several factors that contribute to the stress that many novice teachers experience and their subsequent attrition. If necessary support from mentors, colleagues, and administrators is not in place, many 1st-year teachers opt to leave the…

"Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning" provides a forum to explore issues related to teaching and learning at public and independent colleges and universities with programs in teacher preparation. "Excelsior" solicits original, thought-provoking manuscripts of various formats, including papers presenting research on issues and practices…

The coeditors of the special Summit issue of English Education provide the context for the "crucial moment" that prompted the Conference on English Education (CEE) to take up the task of rethinking issues related to the preparation and continuing professional development of English language arts teachers and teacher educators. The process of…

A survey of 342 rural South Carolina teachers examined teacher attitudes toward inclusion of special needs students in regular education settings. The survey included 25 statements, to which respondents reacted on a five-point scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Major topics addressed included regular education teachers, collaboration…

In 2000, researchers conducted surveys on teacher preparation and qualifications, measuring change since 1998. Respondents were 5,253 K-12 teachers nationwide. The survey repeated some indicators of teacher quality examined in 1998 and explored new issues. Virtually all teachers held bachelor's degrees, and nearly half held master's degrees.…

This study examined teacher characteristics influencing the frequency of computer use in preschool classrooms and explored the effectiveness of a 3-hour computer workshop emphasizing social collaboration at the computer on enhancing teacher perceptions. Participating in the study were 38 Head Start teachers and day care providers in rural Western…