Computer-mediated conferencing has been adopted, particularly for purposes of online course provision, as a method that can deliver community. Widespread interest in a communities-of-practice approach within both informal and formal learning has strengthened perceptions of the value of creating a community online. A case study of asynchronous…

Teacher leadership plays a significant role in the professional culture of many schools across the country, according to principals who value it. This is the major conclusion from a survey and telephone interviews conducted by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL). While limited in scope, the study confirms the contributions of teacher…

This article describes collaborative efforts to frame university teacher preparation program activities within transfer of learning and transformative learning theories to promote teacher leadership. Specifically, we describe (a) a community sponsored, public school, campus-based experience during an introductory teacher preparation course; (b) a…

Southside Elementary Writing Focus examines the process that fostered teacher leadership as a way of strengthening instruction and meeting some of the challenges typical in a school with a high minority student population, high student transiency, and low test scores. After five years, the key components of the initiative remain intact. The seeds…

In recent years, school improvement initiatives have been the focus of political agendas, professional conferences, and publication topics. While a plethora of school improvement resources and techniques exist, most explanations regarding how to employ school improvement strategies in differing contexts is extremely vague at best, and non-existent…

Become a successful literacy leader and improve the vision of literacy in the classroom, school, and community. This book's six proven strategies will help the reader do the "peoplework" at the heart of successful leadership: Creating and communicating a vision; Modeling that vision; Experimenting with new ideas and taking risks; Nurturing…

This book presents information from a 5-year research project on teacher leadership which offers evidence that the answer to school vitality lies largely in the redefinition of traditional leadership in education and in the elevation of the perception, status, and role of classroom teachers. The research involved interviews with teachers and…

The purpose of this study was to gather initial evidence about the performance of the Leadership and Urban Network for Chicago (LAUNCH) principals and National Board Certified teachers, particularly whether they are building the capacity of their schools to improve student learning, and for LAUNCH principals, whether learning gains are larger in…

High-performing schools, it is noted, share an organizational culture in which administrators, staff, and students agree on a common purpose for educational outcomes and undertake cooperative team efforts to reach these goals. A Virginia high school transformed its culture by providing comprehensive professional development and teacher-leadership…

Discusses areas of agreement among science education reformers and addresses fundamental problems if real reform is to emerge. Suggests the science-technology-society (STS) approach for improving the teaching and learning of science. (KHR)

Describes a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project in which hands-on science became the predominant mode of instruction in a school district. Explores the effectiveness of the program and its implications for the future and the science supervisor. (KHR)

Discusses differences between university departments that focus on teacher leadership and educational administration, respectively. Both use the literature on leadership to inform theory, but the translation into practice is very different. An overview of how this dual track is institutionalized conceptually and practically is provided. (Contains…

Although democratic school administration offers great promise, U.S. education cannot reach its full stature through intraprofessional advancement only. As transmitters and sifters of our cultural heritage, teachers have serious community obligations. To stimulate social progress, counteract antischool forces, and widen children's learning…

UCLA's laboratory school is experimenting with the teacher-leader role as a way to provide ongoing learning opportunities for teachers. Teacher leaders serve as in-house experts who provide information, modeling, and assistance to other teachers. Choosing appropriate leader roles and teachers with credible leadership skills helps. (MLH)

To prepare their students for successful futures, teachers must be willing to learn continuously, expand their own abilities, and assume ever greater leadership roles. Principals must create an environment that supports teacher collaboration, facilitates professional development, and recognizes the concept of teacher leadership. (MLH)