Considers the potential detrimental effects on classroom teaching of programs that pull individual students out of the classroom for specialized instruction or activities. Suggests alternative means for meeting student and teacher needs within the classroom. (PGD)

The difficulties associated with enhancing teacher quality and teacher development are explored. Reform must begin with identification of school conditions that must be changed to enable teacher growth and delineation of goals that incentive systems are structured to achieve. (DF)

This fastback addresses the issue of stress by providing teachers with a resource guide that defines stress; normalizes the origins of teacher stress; provides a model for achieving personal wellness through life balance; and provides tools for reducing the effects of stress. Learning healthy habits can help teachers cope with the demands of their…

Teachers have identified a number of stress situations in their work with disruptive children: insecurity due to student unpredictability, doubting their effectiveness, frustrated attempts at communication with other professionals, and feelings of isolation and limited social relationships (expressed by residential workers). (CT)

A recent report from the Southeast Center for Teaching Quality (SECTQ) lends truth to the assumption that teacher working conditions directly affect student achievement. The SECTQ report, "Teacher Working Conditions are Student Learning Conditions," surveyed 32,000 teachers in North Carolina on their perceptions of numerous factors…

This article provides a summary of the five major recommendations from the nation's highly accomplished teachers on the problems in staffing high-needs schools. Insights from these teachers reveal that salary incentives alone will not suffice to attract and retain good teachers for high-needs schools. Working conditions matter--most notably,…

Does less class time lead to improved teaching? Author says yes, and suggests several ways in which the classroom teacher's burden could be eased. (Author/SP)

According to the reviewer, this book's four objectives are to identify related issues such as professional efficacy, teacher attitudes and job satisfaction, decision-making processes, and working conditions; to define the concepts of commitment, performance, and productivity; to review relevant theory, research, and practice; and to describe known…

Recognizing the considerable significance of schools' ability to create an environment of trust and mutual respect, the Center for Teaching Quality--in collaboration with the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards Commission and with generous support from the Karen and Christopher Payne Family Foundation--conducted two focus groups with…

Central finding of the study is that teachers spend only 30 percent of their time in activities that are even remotely related to academic instruction and learning. (Author)

The classroom teacher often does not receive necessary positive reinforcement, which tends to lead to low self-esteem. Tips for helping the teacher become more self-aware and more self-confident are offered. (DF)

This report from Harvard University's Project on the Next Generation of Teachers examines why new some teachers remain in the profession despite difficult teaching conditions. Central to teachers' satisfaction is the belief that they are teaching their students effectively. Other factors include being granted novice status via reduced course…

Addresses the issues involved when assessing the effectiveness of Russian teachers' efforts and the quality of education. Describes the teacher-qualification examinations that are intended to improve and ensure teacher effectiveness. Conveys the need of high standards for teachers, but realizes that most teachers unfortunately do not achieve the…

To advance understanding of the issues concerning teachers' working conditions, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario commissioned one of the authors to do an analytical review of literature on teachers' working conditions. This resulted in the publication, "Teacher Working Conditions That Matter: Evidence for Change." The…

Argues that elementary school improvement hinges upon bettering teaching quality by concentrating on pedagogy. This pedagogical emphasis is necessary not because teacher performance is weak, but because teaching demands are great and primary teachers' influence is high. Schools must become learning organizations, or workplaces that promote…