The reconciliation of the various educational schools of thought to the accommodation of the fact that the United States is a technological nation will do much to further the definition of firm national educational goals. Though the "new humanists" have made multiple demands upon the system during the sixties, they only represent a maze of…

This paper identifies areas of weakness in existing programs of foreign language education for secondary teachers and suggests how improvements may be effected. The National Council of State Supervisors of Foreign Languages, recognizing the need for change in language teacher education programs, discusses four major areas of concern. Remarks are…

The Bilingual/Bicultural Education Professions Program conducted a needs assessment designed to find out the situation teachers in the Holyoke Public Schools face in their classrooms and what needs they have, in order to improve preservice teacher education. The tools used to determine teacher needs were a demographic questionnaire, an explicit…

The goals of this guide are to: (1) Educate teachers and help them prepare for having a student with autism in their classroom; (2) Emphasize the critical importance of communication and collaboration with the parents of their student with autism; (3) Support the creation of an inclusive environment for all the learners in their classroom; and (4)…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) States Showing Some Reading Improvements: Early Grades Raise Scores, but Older Students Continue to Struggle; (2)…

This book highlights the problems that drive many special educators out of teaching and outlines practical recommendations that leaders can use to increase retention. Drawing on field experience as well as research findings, the author provides a comprehensive framework for supporting special educators. This book provides effective ways to: (1)…

As an administrator, new or experienced, you are faced with a myriad of administrative, curricular, and supervisory tasks, while at the same time expected to provide ongoing professional training for your staff. How well prepared are you to deal effectively with the day-to-day business of supervising teachers? What specific support and training…

This document contains a Handbook, a Guidebook, and an Implementation Guide. The Handbook, designed to complement the Guidebook, discusses topics such as: "What is an Educational Portfolio?"; "Types of Portfolios in the Teacher Preparation Program"; "Types of Artifacts for Documentation in the INTASC Standards";…

In 1997 The Oregon State System of Higher Education (OSSHE) assessed the status of Oregon's K-12 educator professions. Separate sections of this OSSHE report: (1) provide information about Oregon's K-12 educator professions, including data on students, personnel, and teacher training; Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) licenses and…

The preparation and qualifications of Pennsylvania vocational education (VE) teachers were examined in a statewide survey. Survey instruments were mailed to all 152 practicing VE teachers in Pennsylvania who had received a Pennsylvania Vocational Instructional II Certificate in 1990-1998. Thirty-four (22.37%) of the VE teachers completed…

This report presents three recommendations for teaching and learning in three areas. The first, "Make Teaching and School Administration Attractive Careers," notes the need to (1) "Increase Salaries for Teachers and Administrators"; (2) "Strengthen Multiple Pathways into Teaching and School Leadership" (3) "Enable Schools that Serve High-Need…

This document summarizes findings from a 1998-99 study of teacher development that investigated California's challenge to provide high quality teachers for all students. California's set of standards to improve education for all requires that all students have qualified teachers. In order for California's move toward academic excellence to…

This information kit describes the importance of having skilled and well-prepared teachers in all American classrooms. Section 1, "Why We Must Invest in Good Teaching," explains that "Good Teaching Makes a Difference." Section 2, "The Current State of Teaching in America: Five Barriers to Increasing Student…

Written by English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers and teacher educators who played key roles in the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages' (TESOL) Standards and Assessment Project, this book is designed for preservice teachers in credential/licensure programs and master's programs at American universities and for practicing ESL…

A 1996-97 survey of 1,534 elementary and 1,650 secondary schools across the United States, both public and private, investigated current patterns in foreign language enrollment, languages and programs offered, curriculum design and content, teaching methods, teacher qualifications and training, and response to national reform issues. The study was…