Indicates the need for deliberate, better, and systematic attention to the teaching of critical thinking skills, as per "A Nation At Risk" recommendations. Presents an effective teaching sequence with a definition and classification of critical thinking and stresses the difficulty of the actual teaching of critical thinking skills. (TRS)

This paper discusses what makes a high-quality online teacher, examining: what it takes to be a high-quality teacher (knowing one's subject and how to teach it); what is unique about online teaching (online teachers rarely see their students, need strategies to ensure that each online student participates actively, and provide courses online so…

This addendum addresses questions of interest to state education policy makers, also elaborating on questions posed in the original work. Issues examined include: the extent to which subject knowledge contributes to teacher effectiveness; the extent to which knowledge of pedagogical theory, learning theory, or child development contribute…

This study examined the professional self-perceptions and self-esteem of Hong Kong student teachers, investigating the impact of teaching practice. Participants were student teachers in their first or third year of full-time, 3-year courses at 1 of the 4 colleges of education in Hong Kong. A total of 424 student teachers completed a questionnaire…

This research report offers a theoretical frame for examining recent instructional improvement efforts. First, it develops a theoretical view of instruction and an analysis of the environments of instruction. It analyzes the relations between instruction and its environments and the circumstances under which intervenors must operate. The report…

This review of the history of special education in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1940 to 1990 focuses on two issues: first, how advocacy for children with disabilities and research changed the practice of special education after World War II in Nashville; and second, how the internal dynamics of the schools in Nashville shaped special education…

Recounts a student teacher's first experiences in the classroom and provides helpful commentary and suggestions from a more experienced teacher. Briefly discusses classroom management, learning styles, individual needs, time constraints, assessment, and instructional materials. Includes a list of activities that help promote an atmosphere of…

Surveys the barely developed and chaotic field of theater teacher assessment and finds that a piecemeal, state-by-state approach dominates. Briefly summarizes assessment in 11 states, revealing few guidelines and a variety of practices. Discusses proposed improvements from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. (MJP)

Describes the development of a scale for evaluating music student teachers' rehearsal effectiveness. Includes scale items representing aspects of rehearsal effectiveness for three interpretable factors: conducting technique, teacher-student rapport, and instructional skills. Advises that scaling of rehearsal effectiveness should be only part of a…

The effects of three approaches to student teaching seminars were examined. Student teachers were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: coping skills training, classroom management training, or general education discussion groups. Analysis indicated that content-specific training positively affected classroom management skills,…

The passage of the 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as the increased numbers of students with disabilities being educated part or full time in general education classes, create significant challenges for teacher preparation programs for both special and general education teachers. In response to…

This volume is designed to provide a comprehensive picture of the range of verified educational practices which derive from psychologist B. F. Skinner's pursuit of the science of learning and behavior. The book begins with a challenge to the American system of education in the form of an article by Skinner, "The Shame of American…

In order to provide teachers with support for the improvement of computer-based problem solving, this paper considers the following research questions--and provides answers--about how to teach students problem solving and how to design training courses for teachers: (1) What are the teachers' and researchers' assumptions about the relation between…

This framework defines a vision of the knowledge, skills, and abilities that should characterize California's beginning teachers in their initial years of service. Discussion and development of the framework are part of the California New Teacher Project, a pilot study of policy alternatives to enhance the success of novice teachers. Following a…

This study identified specific assessment and diagnostic competencies seen as important for masters level special educators. In Phase 1, objectives were gathered from the assessment courses of 61 universities preparing special education teachers. In Phase 2, an initial list of 128 competency statements (71 knowledge statements and 57 skill…