The papers in this monograph reflect doctoral candidates' efforts to understand and influence teacher education and the changes through which it is going. Following an introduction, papers are presented as follows: (1) "Reflective Inquiry in Teacher Education" (Lynn Zeltzer); (2) "Creating a Reflective Practitioner in the Social…

This paper examines the success of the Boston (Massachusetts) Compact's business and public education agreements over the years 1985 through 1987. The Compact began in 1982 as a citywide public school improvement program. Business, university, and trade union leaders agreed to establish and meet measurable admission and hiring goals to increase…

The purpose of this practicum was to increase homework productivity and reinforce basic skills in a third-grade class. Other objectives were to relieve the burden of parents who were unable to help their children with homework and to improve communication between parent, teacher, and child. Homework assignments were made daily by the teacher.…

This study was conducted at Mississippi State University (MSU) Meridian, to evaluate the student teaching experience and to determine adjustments required to improve the teacher education program. Participants consisted of 81 elementary, secondary, and special education students from two MSU campuses. Instruments utilized in the study included a…

This paper explores issues surrounding parental choice of schools. The administration of President George Bush has presented parental choice as a cornerstone of its proposed "America 2000 Excellence in Education Act." Educational advocates are concerned that emphasis on choice as a key moving force for school reform falls short of the…

This paper examines how the concepts of strategic planning, assessment, and Total Quality Management fit together and relate to one another in the field of higher education. Central to the explanation of how these topics are related is the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, a driving force behind the quality improvement movement in that country. The…

Improving the teaching and learning of mathematics, science, and computer usage has been the focus of both education scholars and government policymakers over the last decade. The state of Florida responded by developing a statewide plan to coordinate reform efforts published as "A Comprehensive Plan: Improving Mathematics, Science, and…

A study was done of the state level perspective on Chapter 1 program implementation under the 1988 amendments to the Elementary and Secondary School Improvement Act. In 1991-92, the study surveyed 50 out of 53 Chapter 1 coordinators in state education agencies (SEAs) whose offices are responsible for communicating the law's provisions to school…

A study examined the feedback associated with "author's chair" to determine the opportunities provided for students to learn about literacy. Subjects, six boys and three girls between the ages of 8 and 10 in a self-contained classroom for students identified as learning disabled, were exposed to a process-oriented approach to writing instruction…

It is proposed that schools receiving funds under Chapter 1 (Hawkins Stafford Act 1988) be required to spend at least 20 percent of their allocations on staff development. High-quality staff development programs would enable schools to improve instruction all day for all students. Chapter 1 schools would become centers of educational renewal and…

Genesee Community College (GCC), in New York, received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to conduct a faculty seminar focusing on the role and historical context of the computer as a medium for writing. Twenty GCC faculty from the humanities, as well as from career/technical programs, participated in the seminar in the summer of 1992.…

The Office of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment of the New York City Public Schools annually evaluates the PCEN English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program. Tests already in place in the High School Testing program are used as evaluation instruments. Objectives are that at least 50 percent of program participants will show a positive difference…

The Nutrition Education and Training (NET) program evaluated in this report is one of the Child Nutrition Programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NET's outreach to its target populations is achieved through: (1) workshops developed by NET and delivered by contract trainers; (2) circulation of a NET library collection; (3) development and…

To address an unacceptable failure and withdrawal rate in an introductory psychology course at Ulster County Community College (UCCC), in New York, a project was undertaken to develop a Learning Assistance in Psychology course to help students with skills and concepts. First, a literature review indicating the need for remediation highlighted the…

This guide is intended as a resource for school or school district leadership teams who desire to rethink the teacher evaluation process. Three chapters address the task of designing a teacher evaluation system that encourages self-reflection and continuous improvement, as well as the personal and professional growth of experienced teachers. The…