The purpose of this paper is to share findings from two studies. One study investigates how Minnesota school administrators are addressing cultural diversity and English Language Learners. Data was collected through an electronic survey sent to superintendents and principals. 326 surveys from a possible 998 were completed for a return rate of…

This document presents descriptions of 11 experimental, descriptive, and naturalistic research designs created by classroom teachers about questions that they had and that they investigated within the context of teaching dynamics unique to their classrooms. An action research approach was utilized, emphasizing immediate application of a method and…

In 1997 the Austin Independent School District (AISD) (Texas) launched the Austin Collaborative for Mathematics Education (ACME), a project funded by the National Science Foundation to improve mathematics education districtwide. The initiative provides all K-8 mathematics teachers in the district with long-term professional development and…

This paper explores why and how cases might be used by teacher educators in the professional education of teachers; directs teachers to case materials and relevant articles on case use; suggests guidelines for evaluating cases; and provides a starter set of cases (involving special needs students) that can be photocopied for use in general and…

Findings of a study that explored the ways in which teachers' understandings about pedagogy evolve are presented in this paper. Previous teacher development research suggests that teachers' understandings evolve in a lawful, linear way. Although the expression of the different levels is clear, the evolution process is not. Methodology involved a…

The status of science and social studies education in rural schools seems marginal. This study collected information on the issue by an interview survey. Nine public schools that enrolled 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in rural northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia were randomly selected for the study. The principal, librarian, a science…

Springing from a series of weekly conversations with five second-year teachers in a university writing program, this book presents reflections on some of the questions about teaching that emerged from those conversations. The book is divided into three sections. The first section, "Taking It Personally," examines how the feelings,…

As reflective teaching has been a major concern in education with the movement for increased teacher professionalism and involvement in all aspects of school decision-making, the 10 articles in this volume address reflective practice in the social studies with an emphasis on how reflection and inquiry can contribute to both teacher and curriculum…

This collection contains 19 articles which address the themes of helping teaching and research come into balance, improving the art of teaching, seeing and envisioning teachers as developers, modeling effective faculty development practice, and looking at the faculty spectrum. The essays are grouped under six major subject headings: (1) Teaching…

A teacher communication skills training program to improve instruction, Teacher Expectations and Student Achievement (TESA), is described in this report, with a focus on the effect of improved instructional communication competence on academic achievement. In particular, the advocates of TESA hope that communication skills training will have a…

Proposes the possibility that in languages for business, the systematic integration and use of video can help carry the instructional load, offer teachers another instructional method, and re-engage students' interests in their own learning. (Author/CB)

This study evaluated the construct validity of the Learning Styles Inventory. Learning styles of participants in a continuing professional education program were associated with both the evaluative statements learners make about the design of the program and their attitudes toward lecture and small group sections of the program. (CT)

Validation of a classroom observation measure for use with English Learners (ELs) in Grade 1 is the focus of this study. Fourteen teachers were observed during reading and language arts instruction with an instrument used to generate overall ratings of instructional quality on a number of dimensions. In these classrooms, the reading performance of…

The paper reviews some of the classical indicators of academic professionalism, and illuminates a historical epoche when research and teaching became separate dimensions of professionalism in higher education. The paper argues that this separation has gone too far and that a new sense of professionalism needs to be invoked in the area of teaching…

Here is a roadmap to success affecting the growth and achievement of all students. This book integrates research about teaching and learning using a variety of sources, both popular and academic, to create a readable text. The author offers: (1) A description of current practices in schools that successfully promote positive relationships; (2)…