Reports on a follow-up study of teachers in a course to meet certification requirements. Entry and exit questionnaires indicated that teachers' personal computer skills increased and that their integration of computers into instructional practice was extended by the course, which directly affected their outlook on technology use. (SM)

An increase in understanding of the cognitive processes involved in reading and writing can improve teachers' effectiveness. Results from a survey of 48 states indicate that certification requirements for teaching reading and writing at elementary, secondary, and adult education levels are minimal. Implications for teacher education are discussed.…

The proceedings of the annual meeting of the American Association of Dental Schools include the president's annual report, president-elect's and executive director's addresses, a summary of proceedings, the revised constitution, a list of competencies for entry into the dental hygiene profession, association bylaws, member administrators,…

Describes the Virginia Community College System's (VCCS) initiative to help Virginia meet the growing demand for qualified public school teachers. States that the program aims to recruit teachers, offer pre-service and teacher preparation activities and programs, and prepare teachers to take the Praxis I exam and for transfer to universities. (NB)

Describes School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000 findings about state- and district-level school health services policies and practices regarding: organization, staffing, and facilities; required services; school based health clinics and other sites; immunizations; screening; medication administration; HIV; student health records; special…

Policy makers in states across the country are taking a hard look at prospective teachers and the colleges that train them. Anyone who seeks permanent certification to teach in elementary or secondary schools in most states is now required to achieve a qualifying score on a set of tests administered by the State Teacher Certification Examination…

In this article, the authors explore the ideas that revolve around improving the quality of the teacher workforce through the pursuit of two related goals: (1) teachers who are hired by school districts will have as beginning professionals the acquired knowledge, habits of mind, and skills necessary to meet the needs of the students within the…

Originally a series of local initiatives, Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools is now largely driven by policy makers and politicians who, too frequently, fail to appreciate the challenges the reform poses to teachers, school managers and workplace coordinators. Research has identified perceptions of poor quality in training,…

As awarding bodies modernise their procedures and incorporate elements of e-assessment into their qualifications, e-portfolios are emerging as a popular method of allowing candidates to display their abilities. All major United Kingdom awarding bodies now accept evidence from e-portfolio products for at least some of their qualifications. Although…

It's unsettling to hear of credentialed school teachers who--ignorant of our principles and of so much more--are seduced by, and pass on, ludicrous and even subversive accounts of our history. Sandra Stotsky tells of curricula that equate white Americans with Nazis and of officials who discredit the Constitution as a license for slavery. She…

This article provides the field with a voice from culturally and linguistically diverse beginning teachers who have entered special education through an alternative certification program. These teachers serve as co-authors for this article to share their thoughts related to why they entered teaching, what they feel has assisted them with the…

Under the No Child Left Behind Act, paraprofessionals must be certified as highly qualified. To meet the standard, they need a high school diploma as well as a two-year associate's degree, or two years of college credit, or a passing score on a state or local assessment that demonstrates knowledge of and ability to assist in teaching reading,…

The Education Action Zone programme in Gauteng province, South Africa, has been widely seen as a very successful school improvement initiative, with particular significance as it represents a unique model of top-down, bureaucratic accountability as a vehicle for turning- around dysfunctional secondary schools. In this article I evaluate the impact…

Background: For ten years, the National Science Education Standards (National Research Council, 1996) have served as the foundation for Connecticut's teacher certification in science and the expectations of teacher practice secondary science classrooms. Furthermore, beginning science teachers must demonstrate the ability to teach in an…

In response to the challenges of new state-mandated requirements for teacher credentialing, a team of university faculty and school district representatives worked in a collaborative project to support beginning teachers. The outcome of the collaborative is an innovative program that provides support and formative assessment of teachers during…