The purpose of the present study is to examine how first-year secondary teaching interns' classrooms compare to those of more experienced teachers. Through the simultaneous use of three unique observation instruments, the authors addressed the following research questions: (a) How do first-year secondary teachers' classroom behaviors compare to…

This two-phase study was conducted to content validate through professional consensus the competencies for use in training and certifying prospective public school teachers in Connecticut. In phase one, a two round modified Delphi approach was used to bring a panel of outstanding Connecticut educators to consensus as to which competencies were…

The purpose of this book is to help practitioners and policy makers understand how important it is to assist beginning teachers, and what it involves in terms of policy, procedures, pitfalls, personnel, price in time and money, and prospects. The book is divided into the following chapters: (1) "Beginning Teacher Assistance Programs: An…

Described is an attempt to develop an instrument which could be useful in selecting teacher education candidates. A sample of 330 beginning teachers (100 elementary, 108 language arts/social science, and 122 mathematics/science) had responded to four self-report instruments (covering values, adjustment, practices, and attitudes). Their teaching…

In this study, findings consistently support the hypothesis that cognitive style has the most impact during initial learning. (MM)

Research indicates that teacher effects are detectable and that teachers do significantly influence the academic growth of students. (MM)

Since teachers are a school's most important resource and its largest financial investment, it makes sense to devote time to assuring their success. A school can protect its investment in new teachers by giving them the necessary support from the start through relationships that are both nurturing and evaluative. (Author/AN)

A summary of a Research Design Conference held by the California Commission for Teacher Preparation and Licensing to discuss planned research on teaching and potential designs for such research is presented. The first section is an overview of the need for research on teaching, a brief statement of the needs of the Commission for Teacher…

This book is part of a series for teachers which consists of several short books, each devoted to an essential topic in the field of educational psychology. This volume aims to be a brief, contemporary discussion of the process of becoming a teacher. It is intended not only to be instructive but also to promote in the reader heightened…

Thirteen college-prepared teachers performed significantly higher on a teaching performance test and were rated significantly higher by teacher educators than fifteen industry-prepared teachers. An analysis of teaching behaviors revealed college-prepared teachers used more indirective teaching behaviors. (Editor/JT)

A model for improving instructional skills was developed to offer guidance for administrators or supervisors responsible for overseeing the performance of first year teachers. Developed from research findings on the nature of teaching and learning and the characteristics of an effective teacher, an integral component of the instructional…

This study attempted to discover whether or not graduates of different Master of Arts in the Teaching of English (MATE) programs differed significantly in their teaching approaches. The teaching process was defined by three major variables--the teacher's image of what teaching ought to be, his planning techniques, and his behaviors in teaching the…

Uses journal entries to trace a student teacher's professional development during her student teaching assignment. These entries address a number of issues, including team teaching, decision making, consistency with students, lesson and curriculum planning, and classroom discipline. Includes a series of suggested poststudent teaching activities.…

This study of student teachers used concept maps, the Virginia observation system for evaluation of beginning teachers, and a specific procedure to assess pupil responses to lessons. Results supported a relationship between student teachers' behavioral and cognitive domains. Patterns of pupil responses varied according to the planning perspectives…

In this study, different educator groups had to rank a total of 112 behaviors that had previously been judged to be important to the performance of first-year teachers. Focus was on determining which behaviors are important in the assessment of beginning teachers' performance and whether or not such assessment should be differentiated according to…