Describes the Multiple Abilities Program at the University of Alabama, in which preservice teachers team with general and special elementary education classroom mentors to teach students with average and above average abilities and students with mild learning or behavior problems. The program involves preservice teachers in developing enrichment…

Reports on a collaboration between academic teaching staff who coordinate an undergraduate foundation course in computers and society at the University of South Australia. Highlights include information literacy and lifelong learning; the combination of face-to-face and online instruction; links from the portal; student assessment; search…

A study investigated the effectiveness of a general education/special education collaborative teaming process on six elementary students, three with severe disabilities and three academically at-risk. Consistent implementation of the plans of support by team members was associated with increases in academic skills, engagement in classroom…

This article introduces Project PREPARE, a 5-year project to develop a collaborative site of practice and inquiry between two universities, primary and elementary schools in a poor rural town, and the school district. During the collaboration, there were steady improvement in student achievement in reading and mathematics on multiple measures.…

Discusses the importance of educators' partnerships with colleagues, including the role of a shared sense of mission in the work environment. Considers the importance of providing highest quality services for children and their families and a healthy and supportive work environment for adults. Suggests that practitioners and parents need to…

An elementary special education teacher describes her research on program decision making for students with learning disabilities. The research highlights the need to consider all factors that may impact decisions and identifies three characteristics of decisions that, when present, contribute to teachers' confidence that the decision made is…

Describes corporate-derived teaching strategy called lesson study wherein teachers work to develop lessons, observe each other teaching lessons to see how they work, and then suggest lesson refinements. Provides examples of corporate change efforts (one successful, one not) and implications thereof for education. Evaluates two lesson-study…

Discusses case studies of four Canadian schools that investigated successful ICT (information and communication technology) implementation. Highlights include just-in-time learning; supportive and collaborative relationships among teachers; teacher characteristics; student and teacher roles; resistance to technology; equity; and commitment and…

Presents a framework for interpreting educational reforms, situating existing reform efforts in physical education within that framework. The role of professional development in these reforms and implications for physical education are discussed. The paper also reviews workplace conditions in physical education and draws conclusions for reform in…

Describes changing workplace conditions encountered by middle school physical education teachers and administrators engaged in the Saber-Tooth Project, sharing data from interviews about their perspectives of this project. Findings are organized around the themes of collegiality, planning and assessment, and professionalism, all of which empowered…

Improving teacher preparation has become a focus of educational reform efforts. Discusses professional development strategies that help teachers grow, barriers to growth, the importance of making a career of learning, elements of effective professional development programs, effective alternatives to one-shot workshops, standards for good teaching,…

Investigated the effectiveness of and reactions to an alternative teacher education program for students seeking early childhood licensure who wanted to work with young children in inclusive settings. The program used a talent development model. Data from interviews, observations, artifacts, and focus groups indicated that the talent development…

Examined the perceptions of master teachers and student teachers regarding strengths and weaknesses of a Clinical Master Teacher program that empowered classroom teachers to be the main supervisor during the final internship. Surveys of and interviews with master teachers and interns indicated that the program was perceived as successful and had…

Interviews with cooperating teachers investigated their beliefs about the student teaching triad. Results indicated that in the power hierarchy, cooperating teachers were at the apex, student teachers were second in power, and pupils third. When university supervisors visited, they moved to the apex, with pupils out of the triad. The paper…

A case study of a sixth-grade boy with traumatic brain injury and behavior problems illustrates the use of an in-school action team to provide behavioral support. The team included special and regular educators, parents, a vice principal, and a member of a school-wide team with behavioral expertise. (CR)