Discusses findings from five studies undertaken to elicit judgments from education professionals regarding what newly licensed teachers should know and be able to do. Presents findings from a review of learning-to-teach literature, noting that beginning teachers may not have all the knowledge and skills expected of them. Discusses implications for…

Explores the various responses of four first-year English teachers to a state-mandated mentor program in New Jersey and implications for Wisconsin's proposal for a distinct mentor-supported license stage for beginning teachers. Suggests that mentors must appreciate their responsibilities and that school administrators must support the…

This report describes findings from the principal focus group conducted the first year of the AISD REACH program. [For Report 2, see ED628033.]

This report presents current research findings on teacher preparation and effectiveness. While some critics question the role of teacher preparation as a key to teacher effectiveness, this report contends that available research supports the importance of high quality teacher preparation. Well prepared teachers outperform those who are not…

This article points out some factors which should be considered relating to alternative certification of teachers and highlights findings from recent research and experience with beginning teachers which has implications for alternative certification programs. (MT)

The Oklahoma Entry Year Assistance Program was enacted to ensure that Oklahoma children would be educated by teachers of demonstrated ability. Discussed are the overall effectiveness of the program, the perceptions of administrators and educators providing support to new teachers, and implications of problems and concerns raised. (MT)

This report presents the results of three studies on beginning teacher needs and support. The first study investigated what one beginning teacher and her mentor talked about in scheduled talk sessions. Audiotapes of the talk sessions and interviews with the teacher and her mentor uncovered how the beginning teacher perceived teaching and herself…

This report summarizes the policy framework for operating the California Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) program and interprets information from a statewide evaluation survey of all beginning teachers, support providers, and school site administrators in 34 local BTSA projects. It reviews 3 years of data, emphasizing spring 1998.…

This handbook discusses performance-based licensure for North Carolina's public school teachers. New teachers are responsible for demonstrating that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes to achieve licensure. They must demonstrate essential teaching competence using standards developed by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment…

In 1984, the Kentucky General Assembly mandated a beginning teacher internship program that combined knowledge testing prior to a 1-year initial license for teaching and performance assessment prior to continuing licensure (determined by an internship committee with a teacher at the same school, a principal, and a teacher educator). An internship…

This guide serves as an introduction to the Professional Development Program for Beginning Vocational Teachers. The program has a research base; its overall goal, as outlined in the guide, is to provide a flexible and adaptable mechanism for beginning vocational teachers to have a smoother transition into the field of teaching. The program…

The National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality (TQ Center) designed the Interactive Data Tools to provide users with access to state and national data that can be helpful in assessing the qualifications of teachers in the states and the extent to which a state's teacher policy climate generally supports teacher quality. The Interactive Data…

This 3-part developmental support and assessment process program workbook is based on the State of California expectations for beginning teachers. It focuses on interactions between and among beginning teachers and support providers. The workbook has three parts. Part 1, "Gathering Assessment Information: Developing a Professional Growth…

Using data from 22 students in a year-long teacher certification program, the authors explore the analysis of personal teaching metaphors as a means of facilitating the professional development of beginning teachers. Strengths and weaknesses of the approach are identified, and implications for teacher education are discussed. (SLD)

The troubled economy is driving school organizations to become more efficient and driving the business community to demand that schools produce graduates with different sets of skills. States are finally uniting around common student learning standards as the student population grows more diverse. And the new administration is pouring an…