This study used a computer-assisted cooperative learning approach to teach mathematics to 20 third-grade students, of whom 4 were classified as learning disabled. The team-assisted individualization (TAI) model was used to heterogeneously group students for instruction into four-student teams. Within teams, students were paired. Each team worked…

The reform of teacher education at The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has proceeded from a collective commitment to developing a unified framework for the preparation of early childhood, primary/middle, and special education teachers for urban schools. The new program, Collaborative Teacher Education for Urban Communities, integrates…

This book presents practical strategies to help secondary teachers succeed in their first year of teaching. The 16 chapters include the following: (1) Learning Your Way Around the School (getting oriented, making friends, learning rules and traditions, meeting others); (2) Organizing Your Room (taking inventory and assessing flow, movement, space,…

Texas Southern University (TSU) is one of five institutions of higher learning involved in a collaborative partnership to redesign its teacher preparation program. Newly revised curriculum reflects best teaching practices supported by the use of technology. The Greater Houston Partnership is a 5-year project involving the five institutions, six…

Two faculty members from Indiana University Southeast collaborated with experienced special educators over a 2-year period to determine if supervision procedures based on general education classroom situations fit today's special education student-teaching experience. They found that the 21st-century special education classroom is often not a…

This paper reports on an on-going action research study of the elementary school science education courses at the University of Victoria in Canada. The Department of Social and Natural Sciences requires that professors evaluate their teaching effectiveness annually using a variety of methods such as student evaluations, peer observations, course…

If teachers have the skills to successfully educate students without disabilities, then they can succeed in teaching students with disabilities who are included in regular education. Preservice level teachers need skills for successful participation in the daily routines of inclusive classrooms before they actually enter the regular classroom.…

The impact of the Katz/Henry Faculty Development Model on teaching behaviors and student learning outcomes was assessed with 24 faculty members at 4 institutions in New Jersey. This model, known as "Partners in Learning" involved: faculty pairs who observe one another's class, partner meetings to discuss shared experience in the…

Focusing on the future of at-risk students is critical. Collaboration between university and public school educators in a Professional Development School (PDS) can provide opportunities for faculty and preservice teachers to participate with at-risk students and their teachers to improve current practices, provide individualized experiences, and…

This paper reviews several articles with language-based teacher empowerment themes, discussing empowerment in relation to secondary school language teaching (particularly less commonly taught language teaching) and teacher development. The paper extrapolates from the ideas proposed that second language teachers can be empowered, or at least set on…

This document provides information, based on the final Part B regulations implementing statutory changes made by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1997, which will assist speech-language pathologists in their role in developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) as IEP team members and in implementing those portions…

This booklet examines the issue of trust within the context of school improvement. Specifically, it looks at teacher-teacher and teacher-principal relationships. Drawing on existing research and the experiences of individual schools, it offers a summary of current literature and identifies specific steps that educators can take to increase the…

This study examined the need to better define and describe the concept of teacher leadership, especially from the point of view of the beginning teacher. It focused on teacher leadership as perceived by nine preservice and 3 relatively new inservice elementary teachers from a 5-year integrated Bachelor's/Master's teacher preparation program.…

This book helps school systems and teacher mentors achieve a systematic approach to teacher induction and mentoring programs, offering over 60 checklists, planning guidelines, and assessment tools. Part 1, "Preparation for Mentor Training," includes (1) "From Master Teacher to Masterful Mentor," (2) "Assessing Your…

This proceedings, containing 69 paper and poster presentations, focuses on innovation and hope with a glance to the future. The conference was planned to include theoretical discussions, current research findings, and promising practices based on sound evidence. Current issues in special education include the use of technology, integrating theory…