This paper examines the pressures placed on northern Manitoba (Canada) communities to meet provincial legislative requirements for certification of special education teachers, the special needs of native northerners, and principles guiding an appropriate education program. Special emphasis is given to the need for distance education and…

Describes the Stanford University Teacher Assessment Project (TAP), noting researchers gained insight into the dynamics of teacher assessment and concomitant scoring, the nature of professionalism, and the activity of qualitative research. The article focuses on TAP's 100 Statement Project. (SM)

The current status of measurement-related course work requirements for teacher certification and recertification in the United States was investigated. Data were from the "Requirements for Certification," the "National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification Manual," and a telephone survey of 51…

Uses research findings to challenge assumptions and myths about teacher education and educational reform, focusing on health education. Trends in accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and alternative certification are analyzed. One possible extended six-year preparation program model is offered. (Author/SM)

Includes "School Choice: An Overview"; "Public School Choice: An Overview"; "Would Choice + Competition Yield Quality Education?" (Elmore); "National Testing: An Overview"; "Measuring Schools Is Not the Same as Improving Them" (Darling-Hammond); "Testing, Testing, One, Two, Three..."…

Describes policies of educational validation in the context of European integration, finding assessment of prior learning more effective than equivalent degrees. Distinguishes between two types of arrangements in France, certification through diplomas and assessment of competence, and discusses the relative value placed on each in French society.…

Reports on a study that examined changes, measured by pre- and postconcept maps, in preservice teachers' conceptions of teacher planning associated with a year-long general methods course. Conceptions on premaps differed by certification level. Conceptions on postmaps differed by course instructor. Qualitative shifts in responses are also noted.…

Thirty-two content evaluation studies of teacher licensure tests were reviewed; and methodological differences were noted regarding evaluation focus, the stringency of the charge to expert panelists, and the manner in which panelists' ratings were analyzed. Normative expectations for such content ratings are prepared. (SLD)

All 15 Southern Regional Education Board states have alternative teacher certification programs (many limited to critical needs). The article examines similarities and differences in state policies, who is entering teaching through the programs, how effective the programs are in preparing teachers, and what the program strengths and weaknesses…

The Los Angeles Unified School District Intern Program uses alternative teacher certification for recruitment and training in large, urban, multicultural school districts. The article examines program effectiveness, candidate characteristics, the kind of professional education provided by alternative routes, and how alternatively educated teachers…

Thomas Jefferson University (Pennsylvania) has two dental professional hygiene education programs, one a prelicensure, entry-level clinical education program and the other a postcertificate or baccalaureate degree completion program. Recruitment strategies include prerequisite restructuring and part-time programs, and retention efforts begin with…

A teacher retraining program sends teachers who are certified in low demand areas to Virginia Commonwealth University to get certified in high demand areas. Retraining veteran teachers and the reduction of extraneous teaching positions, along with savings on substitute teacher costs, should save the system nearly $2 million. (MLF)

Many school boards have considered searching for their next superintendent in the ranks of the business community. Both Minneapolis (Minnesota) and Milwaukee (Wisconsin) have businesspeople as superintendents. Contains a number of comments concerning advantages a businessperson can bring to the superintendency, as opposed to the need for proper…

Describes the first four months of initial placement of two beginning teachers who took alternative routes to teacher certification. Both worked in urban schools. Both believed their introductions to their respective schools were abrupt, noting their mentors did little to help them make the transition into the classroom. (SM)

Arguments are posed against alternative certification programs that exclude sufficient pedagogical training; however, programs that build upon nontraditional students' prior content knowledge are supported. Professional development schools offer promising clinical settings for alternative certification programs. (IAH)