Reports a study that examined how one ethnically encapsulated white beginning teacher responded to African American students' unfamiliar ethnic behavior. Interviews, observations, and journal data indicated that he was underprepared to teach in multicultural settings and noted that ineffective interracial classroom relationships stifled learning…

This study investigated what teachers understood from reading, writing, and discussing a case versus just reading and writing. Analyses of writing and oral discourse from student, beginning, and experienced teachers indicated that the addition of discussion affected their thinking about the case, benefiting teachers at different experience levels…

One of five articles on professional development schools in this theme issue. Describes the experiences of University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a collaborative, internship-based secondary teacher education program--Math English Science Technology Education Project (MESTEP)--and the university's collaboration with a high school science…

Analyzes cultural dimensions of Calvin College's Bridenthal Internship in Teaching program for improving the quality of public school teachers; explores how problems encountered by interns as classroom teachers relate to cultural dimensions of the program's industrial leadership orientation and style of leadership modeled by mentor John Wright.…

Correlations of National Teacher Examination (NTE) Core Battery scores and college grade point average (GPA) with a measure of teaching effectiveness for 493 first-year teachers indicate that the correlation is higher for GPA than for the Core Battery. NTE core scores do not predict effectiveness better than GPA alone. (SLD)

Policymakers promote student teachers' knowledge of subjects and their application of subject knowledge in the classroom as crucial in teacher training reform. The paper presents educational arguments supporting the policy and notes recent studies which have investigated the ways in which students' knowledge of subjects may inform their teaching.…

Examines instructional plans of four beginning teachers preparing to teach familiar and unfamiliar topics in biology. This analysis constitutes one level of a multimethodological study of effects of teacher subject-matter knowledge on high school science teaching. Among conclusions are that teacher's choice of instructional strategies affects…

A recent National Center for Education Statistics survey indicates inadequate administrative support as the main reason for teacher attrition. In a 1990-91 National Education Association survey, teachers cite incompetent and uncooperative administrators as the greatest hindrance to job performance. Other dissatisfiers include insufficient…

Considers the potential of alternative route preparation and teacher certification programs for meeting the needs of urban schools by examining the Provisional Teacher Program in New Jersey and the experiences of 75 elementary school teachers, 24 secondary school English teachers, and 30 secondary school mathematics teachers over 4 years. (SLD)

This study investigated four beginning special educators' problems of practice and the influence of the school context on teachers' abilities to solve their problems. Participants were troubled by issues related to instruction and curriculum, understanding the system, inclusion, and exhaustion. Teachers received little support from general…

Investigates preservice teachers' attitudes toward writing and toward teaching writing after completing an innovative language-arts course that stressed process approaches and the writing workshop. Examines the influence this course had on the teaching of writing during their student teaching. Investigates how writing instruction was incorporated…

Presents the results of a survey on how student teachers experienced their teachers, with special emphasis on personality features evident in those teachers most liked and disliked, and those most worth cultivating. Finds interconnections between these spheres, and explores differences based on gender and students' target school level. (DSK)

Undergraduate students and recent graduates of an urban teacher education program met regularly to discuss becoming reflective, effective teachers. Qualitative analysis of conversations highlighted the complex learning involved in teaching and factors in teacher education and schools that supported and hindered new teachers' work. The study…

The current paper reports the findings of a study that sought to identify Israeli prospective teachers' perspectives about educational leadership in relation to "masculine" and "feminine" leadership orientations. The first purpose of the study was to expose prospective elementary teachers' conceptions about the…

By evoking the concept of memory pictures, the author recalls her early years as a teacher. Rather than calling herself a beginning teacher, she characterizes herself as a fledgling teacher to capture the insecurity associated with the first years of teaching. This experience is narrated through five memory pictures: (1) the new school's many…