This book is divided into three sections. In the First Section, entitled "Wellbeing and Workload", the authors examine teacher workload and how teachers spend their time. Chapter 1 focuses on what the causes and effects of excessive workload are, especially in relation to wellbeing, stress and, crucially, recruitment and retention?…

Two field-based teacher education programs at North Texas State University are described. The West Dallas Teacher Education Project prepares education students to work in inner-city, urban schools, and the North Texas Cooperative Teacher Education Project allows education students to work as paraprofessional teacher aides. (CJ)

Adapted physical education is the focus of articles on changing attitudes, perceptual motor training, adapted epee fencing, the role of teacher aides in adapted physical education classes, parent education, and developing individual skills. Guidelines and a short bibliography for developing an adapted physical education curriculum are provided.…

Shares ideas that teachers can implement to increase the effectiveness of adult reading aides assisting them in the classroom, including communication strategies, joint instructional planning, classroom management procedures, constructive feedback, and staff development. (RS)

Maintains that an educational philosophy grounded in motivation and a positive attitude leads to successful implementation of mainstreaming instructional strategies. Outlines 12 strategies for dealing with mainstreamed students and their diverse needs that include instructional objectives, lesson plans, themes, using tutors and teachers' aides,…

Discusses importance of paraprofessionals in rural special education. Suggests that positive teacher-paraprofessional relationships are obtained through valuing each other's respective roles; giving credit where due; involving paraprofessionals in planning and decision making; showing paraprofessionals the why as well as the how of lessons;…

This study examined the validity of teacher assistant report of children's classroom peer play behaviors using the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale (PIPPS). Participants for the examination of construct validity were 344 urban Head Start children. Exploratory factor analyses resulted in a reliable three-factor solution, corroborating the…

Previous research has not statistically analyzed the teacher and classroom structural characteristics related to the quality of Head Start. This study developed, tested, and validated a model to identify the characteristics and beliefs of Head Start teachers and teacher aides and the classroom structural dimensions associated with Head Start…

The development and implementation of a computer literacy support system to increase student computer use for language learning are described. The system was piloted with teachers and a computer laboratory aide in an urban program of adult basic education and English as a Second Language. The project had three phases, including: review of existing…

This paper offers a summary analysis of 4 years of interviews with 1,003 kindergarten and first through third grade teachers regarding their experience in teaching either a small class, a regular size class, or a regular size class with a full-time teacher's aide. The paper uses teachers' descriptions of their experience to explore the effect of…

A process evaluation of Mississippi's Assistant Teacher Program (ATP)--which placed paraprofessionals in first to third grade classrooms--was conducted in 1986 after its third year of operation. The evaluation examined the effectiveness of teacher development materials and inservice education; tasks performed by assistant teachers and their…

Paraprofessional workers (teachers' aides) can help special needs students in vocational education classes. In order for them to function properly, they need supervision, which may vary among institutions, but should include some inservice orientation and training. Some of the topics that should be covered in the training of paraprofessionals…

A 1987 study, which involved 26 male and 805 female early childhood workers from 85 center-based programs in 20 states, was conducted to develop a social-ecological perspective on professional orientation and job satisfaction and on structural components of early childhood programs. Professional orientation is characterized by a person's emphasis…

Intended to help school districts or schools trying to encourage the involvement of parents, this handbook presents ideas and suggestions gathered from local projects as well as a self-assessment manual and a guide describing helpful available materials. Part 1 contains recommendations concerning how to initiate and organize parental involvement…