Teacher Work Samples (TWS) can be viewed in terms of a product and a process. As a product, the TWS measures a teacher candidate's (TC's) ability to promote student achievement, documents that TCs have met minimum national standards, and validates teacher education programs. Teacher candidates engage in observable, job-related behaviors that serve…

Student learning must be touchstone by which teachers and teacher educators are gauged. Unfortunately articles in November 1996 "Kappan" on "Quality Teaching for the 21st Century" don't support this statement. In contrast to three national certification initiatives, Oregon's teacher licensure system (Oregon Work Sampling…

Teacher Work Sample Methodology is described as one piece of an accountability system for the initial preparation and licensure of teachers that includes evidence of student learning. The underlying tenets of the methodology and of the whole idea of accountability systems are explored. (SLD)

The Academy for Educational Development (AED) sent a research team to Western Oregon University (WOU) on November 17-18, 2008, to conduct interviews with individuals who play important roles in the university's teacher preparation program. These interviews, along with additional materials provided by WOU and identified by the AED research team,…

An evaluation of the Career Alternatives Model (CAM) program in the Highline School District, Washington, assessed the impact of four key components: (1) the film series "Bread and Butterflies" (for grades 4-6), designed to increase acceptance of responsibility for future career development and to increase maturity in career decision…