One innovative course for prospective middle school science teachers, theoretically grounded in pedagogical content knowledge, was taught by an instructional team of scientists, science educators, and practicing teachers who utilized discussion and experiential learning. Data from discussions and observations indicated that students were…

This study compared the preparedness of middle school teachers graduating from either traditional teacher education or professional development school (PDS) programs. Surveys and interviews with graduates and enrollees of both programs indicated that PDS graduates felt better prepared for middle level teaching in terms of knowledge about early…

Tells the story of a partnership that involved university researchers, school administrators, and preservice and inservice teachers in the African and African American Curriculum Program. Examines commitments that brought in participants, tensions encountered, and areas of learning about curriculum reform and collaboration. (SM)

Collective teacher efficacy refers to teacher perceptions that they constitute an effective instructional team, capable of bringing about learning in students. Previous research demonstrates that a school staff with a strong sense of collective efficacy is likely to generate high student achievement. This study of 2,170 teachers in 141 elementary…

The 3-year Wisconsin Action Research Project was designed to bring together teams of practitioners from general and special education and provide them with training and support to conduct action research studies. This report describes the first pilot year of the project. First-year action studies attempted to address the following three outcomes:…

This book provides a rationale for, discussion, and extensive examples of curriculum-based assessments (CBA) for students with disabilities in the regular classroom, in the context of the collaborative consultation model. The model stresses the need for input from people with diverse expertise to generate creative solutions to mutually defined…

This proceedings contains 67 conference papers on rural special education. Papers present the newest and most innovative promising practices for rural special education, current research, contemporary discussions of theory or theory development, and topics of timely concern. The papers are organized in order of presentation, and are categorized in…

A recurring theme in the social literature is the perceived gap between what faculty in higher education view as the goals of and preferred methods for teaching social studies and those valued and applied by practicing social studies teachers. In 1990, Ohio State University began planning an intensive school-university collaboration in the form of…

Teachers are responsible for juggling knowledge of where students are and where they need to go; having insights into students' special needs and progress; choices of curricular activities and materials; rules that govern children's participation; expectations from parents and communities; and the norms and rules that govern them as teachers. The…

This paper presents the results of a two-year initiative to change the social arrangements and interactions of special education students and teachers assigned to a predominantly Mexican-American, low-income seventh grade campus of 520 students. The project investigated how to improve the learning environments of students at risk of being placed…

Inclusion facilitators are educators who do more than teach children with disabilities--they advocate for change in schools and communities, sparking a passion for inclusion in teachers, administrators, and families and giving them the practical guidance they need to make it work. This is an essential new role in today's schools, and this guide…

This proceedings contains 64 papers on rural special education. Papers present promising practices in rural special education, discussions of theory and research, research findings, program descriptions, and topics of current concern. The papers are organized in order of presentation, and are categorized in a topical index under the following…

This reference guide was developed by surveying student teachers, substitute teachers, returning teachers, emergency credential teachers, and teacher educators on what they wanted to see in a teaching reference. Samples of lesson units, themes, and communication with parents are provided, along with classroom-tested strategies. The 12 chapters…

Facts on career academies are provided for local school board members, superintendents, other district administrators, and building administrators. The facts are divided into three categories. The category title or the fact is followed by the numbers of the references on which that category or fact is based. The section called Components of Career…

On the premise that hearing other preschool teachers talk about their challenges in creating inclusive settings is a powerful impetus to reflect about one's own teaching practice, this book contains personal narratives by 18 teachers about their journeys toward inclusive, developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood education. The…