This article describes a well-funded and well-equipped model of teacher professional development that encouraged the promotion of information-rich learning environments for learning science. A community of practice using face-to-face and electronic communication encouraged learning, and generated and ensured pedagogical change and innovation. The…

Inverness Research studied the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Seminars on Science program for eight years, from its inception in 1998 to 2006. This paper presents teacher survey ratings for "Genetics, Genomics, Genethics", along with profiles of three teachers who took the course. Course takers report on the annual follow-up…

National teacher shortages have driven the market for alternative means of teacher certification. This study sought to understand what mentorship means to 27 beginning teachers in a university-district partnership Alternative Certification Program (ACP) in an effort to understand the participants' perceptions. The process included administering…

A study examined student writing portfolios to determine improvement of student writing due to instructional changes under the guidelines and standards established for the Kentucky Writing Program. A random sample of 1991-92 and 1994-95 fourth-grade portfolios were analyzed, 10% from each of the 8 elementary schools in the Muhlenberg County school…

A study examined whether a field placement in a preschool program enhanced preservice teachers' understanding of the emerging literacy process. The study was conducted in two preschool classrooms in an urban school district in central New Jersey during the spring semester of 1996. Subjects were 26 graduate and undergraduate preservice teachers who…

This study was conducted to determine: (1) if technical institute faculty and administrators believe there should be state licensing for postsecondary technical institute faculty; (2) if technical faculty and administrators believe a licensing process similar to that used in other non-teaching professions should be implemented; and (3) what…

This applied dissertation was designed to enhance the morale among teachers at a middle school that experienced high teacher attrition each year. The solution strategies implemented addressed issues of administrative support, collegiality among teachers, parental involvement, reduction in nonteaching duties, and teacher recognition and…

A survey was conducted to investigate special education teaching conditions. A total of 246 special education teachers, 158 special education administrators, 110 principles, and 72 regular education teachers responded to survey questions that addressed the availability of appropriate materials, the provision of suitable physical facilities, the…

This final report/doctoral dissertation describes activities and accomplishments of Project LIFT (Looking at Intervention Factors with Teachers), which assessed the relationships among classroom intervention acceptability, integrity, and effectiveness. Two studies were conducted. The first involved observing interventions implemented in 10 Iowa…

This paper provides teacher organizations with an overview of online education issues and research. The first section defines online education. The second section summarizes reasons for the expansion of online education. The third section looks at the nature and extent of online education in Canada and the United States. The fourth section…

A dissertation study identified factors inherent in Montana's smallest schools that attract and retain teachers. Questionnaires were completed by 126 certified elementary teachers in 107 elementary school districts with a student enrollment of 40 students or less. Factors were categorized using the "four spheres of influence":…

This paper provides an overview of a pilot study conducted in Northeast Ohio. A survey was distributed to ten middle school principals representing urban and suburban school districts; each principal was asked to select two teachers to participate in the survey. The study considered two questions: Are the technologies available in schools…

This technical report describes the development, pilot testing, and revision of a survey instrument designed to measure secondary school teachers' perceptions of their efficacy working with students from diverse backgrounds. A brief review of relevant literature frames the current study in the context of survey development that is technically…

Reflects on the findings of a survey (reported in an earlier article in this issue) of 93 teachers who left their special education teaching positions. How the data was collected is discussed as well as the factors for leaving, including lack of administrative support, significant student discipline problems, high case load, excessive paperwork,…

A study examined the effects of parent involvement and expectations on academic achievement among 567 Black and White middle school students in 18 Seattle (Washington) schools. Parent and teacher surveys indicated that parental involvement was the highest contributor to academic achievement among White students, whereas earlier educational…