A survey of 138 proteges and 218 others not being mentored identified the frequency with which mentors or supervisors provided career/psychosocial functions. Mentors fulfilled a range of functions early in the relationship and continued to do so. The stimulated/challenged and psychosocial functions predominated. Nonmentors do not provide the…

The literature reveals two flawed approaches to mentoring: (1) popular consensus, in which each group defines mentoring for itself; and (2) the continuum approach, a range of professional patronage relationships. A more comparative approach across occupations may elicit themes and cross-disciplinary ideas to improve practice. (SK)

Suggests that adult education consultants must develop professional relationships with colleagues, know about available resources, and have a supportive network. Outlines ways in which consultants can gain access to and maximize use of resources. (Author)

A randomly-selected sample of 306 adults employed full-time rated how likely individuals would be to use various communication strategies (cost escalation, depersonalization, and state-of-the-relationship talk) to disengage from a workplace relationship (with the target of the deteriorations being a supervisor, a peer coworker, or a subordinate…

Much has been written recently about the role of the higher education chief information officer (CIO) and the qualifications expected of potential candidates. As one considers career paths for senior information technology (IT) leaders, one might also seek a better understanding of another senior position in higher education's IT arena--the role…

Last month Duke University's student newspaper published a letter signed by 17 economics professors. It said that, in the wake of the lacrosse scandal, the professors regretted the perception that Duke faculty members were prejudiced against some students. It also publicly welcomed all students--including lacrosse players--to enroll in the…

There is growing consensus that the single most important factor in determining student performance is the quality of the teacher. Therefore, if the national goal of providing an equitable education to children across this nation is to be met, it is critical that efforts be concentrated on developing and retaining high-quality teachers in every…

Despite clear evidence that formative assessment creates vantage points throughout the teaching-learning cycle for both teachers and students, research suggests that teachers are not taking advantage of the full cadre of formative assessment strategies available to them--particularly those that have been associated with improved student learning…

The purpose of the research was to study the effectiveness of Cardinal Stritch University's Undergraduate Teacher Education Program in preparing its graduates to teach all children. The researcher framed the study around four areas of concern common to beginning teachers from the research and literature: (a) curriculum, instruction and assessment…

Professionals throughout the field of education agree on the importance of teacher-caregiver communication. Yet teacher education programs still do very little to prepare future teachers for these interactions. This exploratory study investigated the use of a standardized caregiver model, with 12 teacher education students involved in a simulated…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an Illinois metropolitan program that prepares teachers for administrative and supervisory positions in schools by analyzing, over a 10-year period, its employment outcomes. Overall, from 1995 to 2005, 503 students graduated from the program, 451 of whom with Illinois principal…

Paralleling the accelerating pace of educational change in the last two decades has been the development of a professional learning community (PLC) in schools. Characterised by teacher collaboration and a spirit of enquiry, the PLC represents a response to change and an opportunity to benefit teachers, students and schools, using an approach most…

This exploratory study focused on the needs and attributes that female doctoral students, during their academic and professional careers, seek in mentoring relationships with female faculty. Two domains--personal and professional--were identified as essential components in the developmental mentoring relationship. As a result, the Rheineck…

This study examined factors that influence teachers' technology integration during Collaborative Apprenticeships designed to provide onsite, ongoing, and just-in-time peer mentoring to create technology-enhanced materials. Results indicate that teachers who were successful in designing technology-enhanced lessons tended to interact differently…

Workforce turnover in public child welfare is a national problem. Individual, supervisory, and organizational factors, individually and in combination, account for some of the turnover. Complex, comprehensive interventions are needed to address these several factors and their interactions. A research and development team is field testing one such…