Teacher education lacks structural coherence, often results in training regimens or decoupled practices but not professional education experiences, and resists change. Two reforms to enhance professionalism are proposed: creating tracked programs that consider special populations and contexts, such as rural or Catholic schools, and developing…

Focuses on the implementation and evaluation of instructional strategies in a core science education methods course within a Bachelor of Education preservice program. Examines how a collaborative learning experience that incorporated components of problem based learning was implemented and how students reacted to and reflected upon this approach.…

Presents seven classroom practices for beginning and senior science teachers. Categories include community, curriculum, constructivist connections, confidence, competence, computers, and caring. (YDS)

Investigated the kinds of lived experiences contributing to teachers' commitment to multicultural education and processes by which teachers became committed. Interviews and surveys involving K-12 and college teachers indicated that teachers developed commitment through various developmental life experiences. At each developmental stage, there were…

Examines a preservice teacher education program designed to address multicultural understanding and awareness in school curriculum by developing students' knowledge and experience of others' attitudes and values. The author introduces the Heelotia cross-cultural simulation, describes its use and student opinions of the experience, and discusses…

Describes the restructuring process at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, focusing on changes in the College of Education over four years. Grant monies allowed faculty members to attend programs and conferences, hire specialists, develop a planning document, implement a plan that included 11 new units, and elect unit leaders. (SM)

Describes the experiences of building California State University at San Marcos's College of Education from the ground up. The college was intended to be responsive and professionally relevant. The first step was developing a mission and core beliefs. The governance structure reflected the commitment to collaboration, collegiality, and a learning…

Investigates whether studying about the nature(s) of science contribute to a prospective teachers' effectiveness as a teacher. Argues that a course studying the cultural wars over science contributes to prospective teachers' professional growth because it elicits tacit beliefs about school science as it introduces more complex understanding.…

Examined effective collaborations involving schools and colleges of education and other organizations, identifying commonly voiced reasons for collaboration and factors perceived as important in collaboration. Data come from research, case descriptions, survey responses, and input from collaborators. Willingness to listen, mutual respect,…

Describes a project which set up mentoring conversations via e-mail to support the developmental growth of preservice teachers in secondary English teaching methods courses. Examines in depth the e-mail correspondence of a mentoring veteran teacher, showing how she mentored by modeling, illustrating, affirming, questioning, qualifying, and…

Describes the certified health education specialist (CHES) examination, focusing on several procedures used in the process of developing the examination to ensure that it provides valid input in the credentialing decision, including: the role delineation and test specification; test item development; examination finalization; establishment of a…

Data from post-lesson interviews conducted early in the teacher training year examine student teachers' reasons for teaching decisions and evaluations of that teaching. Evaluation of lesson objectives and factors considered when working to achieve them suggests a high level of concern for student learning, echoed in student teachers' lesson…

Examined student teachers' conflict resolution and growth toward efficacy while interning in inner city schools. Interviews, written reflections, and group discussions indicated a sense of culture shock upon entering schools. Students were concerned about children's home lives, relationships with cooperating teachers and students, and teaching…

Questions whether student teachers' beliefs influence their images of good primary science teaching and whether completion of an initial degree had an impact on their conceptions of effective practice. Interviews Canadian preservice primary teachers (n=12) and compares the findings with a similar Australian longitudinal study. Discusses influences…

Reports on research, undertaken at the Manchester Metropolitan University (England), on primary student teachers' understanding of mathematics and its teaching. Investigates how non-specialist teachers conceptualize mathematics and its teaching and the development of their views throughout an initial training course. (CMK)