This collection of papers includes: "New Teachers for a New Century: Recommendations from a National Invitational Conference" (Margaret C. Wang and Herbert J. Walberg); "Teacher Quality, Teacher Effectiveness: Basing Education Policy on the Facts" (Arthur E. Wise); "Accreditation Reform and the Preparation of Teachers for…

This fastback explains that better teaching is the key to higher student achievement, and improving the quality of both teachers and their teaching is an important challenge for departments of education and schools nationwide. The fastback focuses on: "Enhancing Teacher Quality" (content knowledge, licensure and certification, and…

The recently mandated, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) electronic submission format poses a significant challenge to teacher educators charged with compiling a program report for the purpose of securing national recognition from NCATE. The program report guidelines stipulate that compilers may use a maximum of only…

This document reports on the third year of the assessment component of the California New Teacher Project (CNTP). In the first 2 years, research focused on pilot testing innovative forms of new teacher assessment. Part of the third year study was a careful review of the state of assessment practices in California. The study was designed to yield…

Research begun in 1988 investigated the induction process of beginning vocational teachers. Several research techniques were used in the study: nominal group technique focus sessions, focus group sessions, and individual interviews; daily and weekly tape-recorded logs and site visits; national survey; and exemplary induction assistance programs.…

An Indiana project developed a model diagnostic basic skills testing program with statewide application for teachers certified under the Occupational Specialist Rules. Fifteen commercially produced tests were reviewed for adoption. The set of criteria that guided the selection process included technical aspects and application factors. The TABE…

This handbook is designed to provide teacher applicants and vocational educators with general information about Kentucky's Beginning Vocational Teacher Testing Program. Information is provided on amended chapter 396 of Kentucky's Revised Statute, which stipulates that all new/beginning teachers successfully complete appropriate written tests and…

This brief examines the impact of teaching on student achievement, necessary steps for ensuring teacher quality, and policies needed to support that effort. Research has identified the strong connection between student achievement and teacher preparation and skills. Efforts to generate consistently high teaching levels across all classrooms must…

A job analysis was conducted to define the knowledge domain in which newly licensed (certified) English teachers must be knowledgeable to perform competently. The results of the job analysis were to be used to develop test specifications for the Subject Assessment in English of the Praxis Series: Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers. A…

The Texas Centers for Professional Development and Technology (CPDT) study gathered evaluative data about the progress and contribution of the centers toward their goal of systematic change in teacher preparation and student learning during four years of funding (1992-93 through 1995-96). The 21 centers in the sample included 35 universities, 15…

This publication presents recommendations for state policy that are meant to promote the simultaneous reform of both K-12 education and teacher education. The main body of the document consists of recommendations based on recurring themes gleaned from interviews with state leaders: (1) the state legislature should adopt statutory provisions…

Findings from 20 interviews conducted with individuals involved in the California New Teacher Project, which is administered by the California Department of Education and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, are reported to assess the policy environment for new teacher support and assessment programs. The study was conducted by the Southwest…

This paper describes the teacher certification program offered at the Fryeburg site of the University of Southern Maine's Extended Teacher Education Program and how the spirit of inquiry that is fostered through a project approach affects the interns and the practicing teachers with whom they work. The program uses a project approach to organize…

The results are provided of a statewide content verification survey of "expert" educators designed to verify indicators in the 1989-90 System for Teaching and Learning Assessment and Review (STAR) as reasonable expectations for beginning and/or experienced teachers (BETs) in Louisiana and as providing professional endorsement at the…

This report outlines problems in California's public school teaching force, from training to recruitment to retention. It describes who currently teaches, notes the lack of minority teachers in an increasingly diverse student population, and examines pathways to teaching and barriers to certification. It details the teaching crisis in the state's…