Using a variety of data sources collected over a three-year period, this article presents a case study of a professional development school collaborative established by Texas Tech University and Lubbock (Texas) Independent School District. The study outlines the development and implementation process, organizational structure, and problems…

Center X (Where Research and Practice Intersect for Urban School Professionals) at the University of California, Los Angeles, is the school's teacher education program. It integrates preservice teacher education, beginning teacher induction, and continuing professional education in an effort to create a new culture of teacher education and…

In 1992, Texas A & M University's College of Education established the Texas Education Collaborative, a center for professional development and technology, to redesign teacher preparation and staff development programs. In 1996, the TEC joined with the university's Principal's Center to focus on principals' development in schools reconceived…

A survey of 523 special educators in Missouri examined their knowledge level concerning traumatic brain injury (TBI). Results indicated a low level of knowledge pertaining to the definition and criteria for TBI and high interest in learning more about characteristics and instructional practices. Workshops and guest speakers were the vehicles which…

Reviews the challenges and benefits of using multimedia instructional technology to teach intermediate business Spanish at Thunderbird American Graduate School of International Management (Arizona). Challenges were technical and administrative support requirements, technical training needs, and locating quality materials. Benefits included learner…

High performing schools for young adolescents are developmentally responsive, academically excellent, and socially equitable. Necessary reform elements include professional development, technical assistance, coordination, networks, data-driven decision making, enlightened leadership, improved teacher preparation, a well-informed public, and…

Building on prior teacher workshops, online courses were developed to support classroom implementation of Ohio's English language arts standards by providing models of exemplary classroom practices and creating an online teacher community for sharing experiences and ideas. Although participants in the first course were primarily older teachers…

The Stanford Instructional Television Network (SITN), the largest single university provider of live televised graduate-level engineering courses worldwide, partners with industry to address issues of competitiveness and job productivity. SITN offers engineers, scientists and technical managers a means to extend their education without leaving the…

The RECEPTION GAME teaches conversation skills to adult foreign language learners with positions in international business and diplomacy. The design combines elements of simulation and experiential learning and takes into account conversation's rapport-building function, turn-taking mechanisms, open-ended structure, listening demands for following…

Discusses growing recognition of and pressure to improve the quality of early childhood services, and the resulting increased professionalism of practitioners. Considers broadening early childhood professionals' roles to include political action, conference presentations, and professional organization contributions. Concludes that the early goal…

Observes that technological advancement, shifting demographics, and a rapidly changing economy will determine the institutional character of tomorrow's university. Nonetheless, it is advantageous to protect faculty quality. Discusses universities that have responded with innovative programs involving peer review and professional development. (MJP)

One of four articles in the third section, "Reflection: What We Have Learned," this article describes the development of the collaborative between Indiana University Northwest and three urban school districts in Indiana (East Chicago, Gary, and Hammond). This collaborative became the Urban Teacher Education Program and has been operating…

This article describes the Council for Exceptional Children's professional standards for special education teachers, including the content standards and the knowledge and skill standards. Information is provided on how to use the standards to structure a professional development plan, maintain expertise and evaluate competency. Self-evaluation…

Describes the development of a collaborative Internet-based simulation game for learning to solve knowledge management problems. The game builds on two starting points: on psychological and pedagogical developments in learning and instruction, and on a perceived need for better training of people working in the emerging field of knowledge…

This is the second part of an article that explores key questions about the role of technology in early childhood training, continuing education, and professional development, and identifies issues and challenges of teaching online. This part focuses on specific strategies and effective practices faculty and trainers can use to create a community…