The preparation of preservice teachers plays a major role in closing the achievement gap in the education of urban children. Urban teachers often do not understand how their low expectations and deficit assumptions influence their instructional practices and contribute to a widening achievement gap between urban and non-urban students. Many…

The introduction of training packages has focused attention on the quality of assessment in the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector on the quality of assessment. For the process of mutual recognition under the Australian Recognition Framework (ARF) to work effectively, there needs to be confidence in assessment decisions made…

This monograph describes the Italian initial and continuing vocational education and training (VET) system and its qualitative and quantitative development. Chapter 1 outlines the general context of the VET system--both institutions and social and economic aspects. It provides facts and figures on such topics as demographic trends in Italy, the…

This document contains 14 research papers presented at the American Vocational Education Research Association (AVERA) annual meeting. The following papers are included: "Factors that Influence Students to Attend 4-Year Automotive Programs" (Gregory G. Belcher, Robert L. Frisbee); "The Training Needs of Vocational Teachers for…

For some time, leaders in special education have expressed the desire for a national overview of State certification requirements for teachers of exceptional children who, because of their limitations and their particular needs, require special help. This bulletin, prepared as a part of an Office of Education Study, "Qualification and Preparation…

The problems of the British educational system are viewed from an American perspective. The author compares present educational problems and prospects in Britain and the U.S., and describes Britain's policies on enrollment decline, nursery schools, disadvantaged children, secondary school organization, curriculum, examinations, teacher education,…

This article considers two policy initiatives that address the dilemma of increasing special education teacher numbers and improving quality: the No Child Left Behind law and the plan laid out in the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future policy blueprint. It then discusses teacher attrition and retainment strategies. (Contains…

The history of British teacher training is chronicled briefly, and recent changes in British preservice teacher education are examined. The changes include formation of an accreditation body chosen by the government, a more competence-based curriculum, and a certification scheme designed to boost the number of teachers available. Problems arising…

The national supply of teachers has risen to meet the demand, largely because of the growing interest in alternative programs of teacher preparation. An overview is given of alternative teacher certification that has allowed many districts, especially large urban districts, to fill their vacancies. (SLD)

Presents results of a qualitative study of alternatively certified teachers from a large urban district in the Southwest, focusing on reasons for choosing alternative certification. Interviews with 100 teachers reveal a variety of reasons for choosing teaching and indicate that the alternative program increases the pool of qualified teachers. (SLD)

Examines the educational trends and quality of special education in Japan through discussions of its curriculum, the employment trends of special education teachers, and issues concerning internship, sabbaticals, and enrollment in graduate programs. Through amendments in Japan's Teacher Certification Law, qualitative improvements have been…

Describes School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000 physical education (PE)-related findings about state-, district-, and school-level requirements and policies, standards and guidelines, student assessment, evaluation, PE for students with disabilities, collaboration, staffing and professional preparation, recess, and interscholastic sports…

This article presents answers to the question: What do powerful educational leaders think about training practitioners for social justice? The data are drawn from interviews with a former governor and leaders from the American Association of School Administration (AASA), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), National…

Trade and industrial (T&I) teachers enter the classroom as content level experts who may have acquired their content expertise through a combination of formal industry training and informal on-the-job experiences. When they make the career transition from industry to teaching, they must acquire professional teaching competencies. Like the content…

The "State Teacher Policy Yearbook" examines what is arguably the single most powerful authority over the teaching profession: state government. This Delaware edition of the National Council on Teacher Quality's (NCTQ's) "State Teacher Policy Yearbook" is the first of what will be an annual look at the status of state policies…