Data-driven decision making (DDDM) involves using information gathered from and about students to make ongoing decisions about their instruction. Many teachers struggle with implementation of DDDM practices to optimize instruction, underscoring the importance of teacher education vis-à-vis DDDM. The present study secondarily analyzed existing data…

This is an era of transformation in the preparation, induction, and assessment of prospective teachers. The tension between local and state control is at the heart of the debate. States should be responsible for establishing performance standards that ensure that new teachers are well-prepared, competent, and ready to teach. This is why the…

In this cross-institutional, qualitative case study, two teacher educators in urban teacher education programs identify and analyze the components of our teacher education practice in relation to a vision of compassionate, critical, justice-oriented teacher education. Using Grossman et al.'s concepts of preparation for professional practice as an…

Traditional campus-based teacher education programs, located on college or university campuses, have been criticized for being removed from the "real world" of community life, and a number of programs have moved directly into urban communities in order for preservice teachers to become immersed in the life of the community. This article…

Although the influence of the school music teacher in a student's decision to pursue an undergraduate music education degree is well documented, little is known about the contribution that state music education associations (MEAs) may make toward a student's decision to major in a music-related field. Data do suggest that students' opinions about…

Within the current federal, state, and local contexts of educational reform, teachers must be recognized as central actors in policy work, but rarely do we explicitly consider preparing teachers to become policy actors. Understanding these implications for teacher education, we investigate teacher candidates' learning of the complexity and…

The traditional structure of field experiences poses a dilemma for urban teacher preparation. Research shows that teachers of low-income, urban students often have negative beliefs about, and attitudes towards, their students. Yet, large numbers of cooperating teachers are routinely utilized as mentors in urban classrooms. This practice…

This large-scale, longitudinal study examines teacher attrition data from over 6,500 teachers in Illinois over a 14-year period from 1997 to 2010. Attrition rates between teachers who participated in a Professional Development School (PDS) versus students prepared traditionally are compared. The effects of teacher preparation experiences on…

This study examined how elementary teacher education programs in the Midwest Environmental Education Conference partner states (Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) address and assess the competencies set forth by the NAAEE "Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators". In April 2012,…

Teachers today are called on to have an ever expanding knowledge base and skills that support working within a multi-tiered system of supports, including Response to Intervention (MTSS/RtI). Yet, most teachers do not possess these skills. Current field-based professional development initiatives focus on the existing teacher corps. However, Pk-12…

Pre-service elementary education teachers conducted family nights with children and families considered "high need". The family nights were designed to help build preservice teachers' sense of self-efficacy regarding parent involvement and working with low-income children and families with limited English proficiency. The project…

From 2005-2007, 86 pre-service science teachers surveyed 2,535 middle and high school students in 27 rural, suburban and urban school districts in Northern Illinois on their attitudes about science. The survey consisted of ten questions on a ten-point Likert scale covering interest in science, attitudes about scientists and student confidence in,…

A pre-service teacher education program model has been designed to assist teachers in educating students regarding existing and emerging environmental occupations. (EA)

The competency-based teacher education project titled "Pre-Service Occupational Program," at Illinois State University, Normal (behaviorally stated objectives, preassessment of objectives in relation to learners, learning activities, evaluation for competence, process adjustment) can serve as a model for teacher-training institutions to…

NONACADEMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR TEACHER EDUCATION WERE ISOLATED AND EVALUATED. THE THEORETICAL BASIS FOR THIS STUDY WAS DRAWN FROM DAVID P. AUSUBEL'S FORMULATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EGO-DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING. SAMPLE EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY CLASSES WERE ADMINISTERED (1) A REVISION OF AUSUBEL'S PARENT…