This study examined the interaction effect of teachers' mathematics preparation and the thinking level of mathematics problems on student performance. Achievement scores of students whose teachers differed on level of mathematics preparation indicated that students performed better on higher level thinking tasks when teachers had advanced…

Claims that managed-care principles are rapidly entering the public child welfare system and are being implemented in the delivery of therapeutic services in schools. Claims that this switch increases the importance of professional credentials and high standards and that school social workers should look beyond entry-level certification. (RJM)

Suggestions for meeting licensing requirements for adventure education programs in the United Kingdom include identifying risks that could result in death or disabling injury, determining whether these risks are being adequately controlled, documenting appropriate supervision of instructors, developing a safety policy that addresses staff…

Summarizes a report about professional credentials presented to the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA). Presents a rationale for the involvement of ASTA in the development of science teaching standards, a summary of the state of teacher evaluation, and a discussion of future options for ASTA's involvement in standards. (DDR)

Research indicates that teachers are the main influence on student achievement. However, standards and accountability related to teacher preparation, certification, and competencies are inconsistent. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has developed a more rigorous system of standards and procedures for teacher preparation.…

Suggests that teacher education faculty are not taking sufficient care in preventing weak, incompetent student teachers from attaining state licenses, noting factors contributing to the problem (e.g., the concept of incompetence is not sufficiently clear), placing incompetence on a continuum of teaching behaviors from criminality and malpractice…

Describes the statutory duties of the Florida Education Standards Commission, highlighting a study of the working conditions of Florida's substitute teachers. Researchers collected data on school board policies regarding substitutes' educational levels required, initial training and staff development opportunities required, salary schedules, and…

Discusses Utah's competency-based education bill (S.B. 154). Includes graduation requirements, role of local boards, task force charge, alternative teacher certification, state education summit, state board of education role in the bill's implementation. (PKP)

Examines the current role of community colleges in pre-service and in-service teacher education, including the development of the associate of arts degree in teacher education, the community college baccalaureate in teacher education, and alternative certification programs. Discusses factors influencing future trends and predictions about the…

Examined two beginning high school teachers, one credentialed in English and one in science, as they taught English, suggesting that out-of-field teaching is very complex, identifying factors contributing to the complexity, and proposing conceptualizing out-of-field teaching as a matter of goodness of fit to take into account the relationship…

Describes urban teacher supply problem in Oakland County, Michigan. Reviews literature on urban teacher supply problem nationally. Describes Michigan's alternative teacher-certification program and Oakland University's partnership with the Pontiac School District to prepare teachers for teaching in urban schools. (Contains 50 references.) (PKP)

The paper argues for noncategorical certification of special educators drawing on the effective schools literature, educational philosophy, legal precedent, research, and practical considerations. The Utah experience in establishing noncategorical certification is described. (DB)

Data on 180 pediatrics and 302 internal medicine residency training programs concerning vacation, leave of absence, extension of training because of absence, and related policy suggest wide variation depending on postgraduate year of training, discipline, program size, and program type. Implications for accreditation, testing, and certification…

The authors report results from a survey of all state supervisors of technology education. Information is included on the numbers of technology teachers in each state, certification issues, vacancies in technology education, and salaries. Data were also collected on student enrollments, funding, and curriculum issues. (CH)

Findings from a study of 63 Texas teachers, which investigated the viability of the Alternative Certification Program (ACP) at University of Texas El Paso in training teachers, indicated that academic and classroom performance were similar for teachers from traditional teacher education programs, ACP teachers, and emergency permit teachers. (IAH)