Whether cutting score equivalents (CSEs) based on examinee performance are the same as CSEs based on expert judgment was examined using data from 3,262 examinees taking an internal medicine certification examination. CSEs produced by 40 physicians/experts were closer to the criteria than were standards derived from examinee performance. (SLD)

In response to the growing shortage of teachers, some schools and colleges are recruiting professionals from the private sector and government as classroom teachers. Considerations for professionals contemplating a career shift to teaching include choosing the proper grade level and subject area, obtaining teaching credentials, certification…

Examines, in detail, the recent events in New York that led to improvements in early childhood (child care and Head Start) teacher compensation. (BB)

This article describes a lateral entry certification program (LEP) which prepared 13 new math and science teachers for rural North Carolina schools. It also presents findings which indicate that LEP participants are as competent in school classrooms and as successful on National Teacher Examinations as traditionally prepared students. (IAH)

In response to Utah's establishment of state special education certification standards, the University of Utah has developed a teacher education program with two distinctive features: field experience as half the program, and mastery learning of specific objectives leading to endorsement. (MSE)

Examines the following trends affecting the professional status of teachers: (1) practice boards; (2) teacher centers; (3) mediated entry; (4) staff development; (5) researcher-teacher collaboration; (6) merit pay; (7) master teachers; and (8) new alliances. (FMW)

A job analysis helped develop specifications for physical education (PE) assessment of the Praxis Series for beginning teacher evaluation. A national sample of PE teachers, administrators, and college faculty judged knowledge domains for importance and created 128 crucial knowledge statements for beginning PE teachers. An appendix provides the…

Examines the development of information technology (IT) capability by teacher-trainees on a postgraduate certificate of education course; the course involves the promotion of IT use during classroom placements by teacher-mentors. Survey results indicate that for certain trainees, the development of IT skills was regarded as being synonymous with…

The mechanisms by which the health education profession is seeking to promote increased competency, visibility, marketability, and quality among practitioners include professional preparation in health education, certification by examination, and recertification. To clarify key concepts in health education credentialing, the article discusses…

Describes Pennsylvania's comprehensive child day care and early childhood development training system, focusing on the Early Childhood Education Linkage System (ECELS) and its immunization initiative. The initiative was established to improve the overall immunization status of all children in child day care in the state. (MDM)

This article describes characteristics of special education teachers based on data collected and analyzed by the federal government. Tables, graphs, and text present data on the teaching force by age, ethnicity, gender, full certification in main teaching field, highest degree, teaching experience, and likelihood of becoming a teacher again. (DB)

Two perspectives on assessment for teacher certification are described: the competency orientation, and the professional orientation. These perspectives are used to discuss current problems, basically validity issues, in teacher assessment: (1) a professional orientation toward assessment; (2) criterion-referenced assessments; and (3) the unit of…

Describes Virginia Wesleyan College's program to provide alternative certification for individuals wanting to change careers and enter teaching. An evaluation of the program shows that it works efficiently to attract well-qualified candidates from nontraditional pools and prepare them within state certification guidelines for local teaching. (SM)

This paper proposes new policies which stress making explicit the roles of sign communication and speech in total communication programs for students with hearing impairments. A review of the literature supports the need to redefine total communication, provide improved preservice and in-service training of teachers in effective communication…

A comparative study that accesses the environmental knowledge of in-service classroom teachers (n=166) enrolled in the certification program at Yarmouk indicates the need for coursework in environmental sciences and environmental education. Recommends the integration of an environmental dimension into the general methodology course and subject…