Assessed problems confronting beginning special education teachers, noting whether contextual factors facilitated or impeded their efforts to solve these problems. Teacher surveys indicated that the most common problems related to insufficient curricular material, handling student behavior, and obstacles in collaboration with general educators.…

Results are reported from a study which assessed the attitudes of 84 preservice secondary student teachers toward middle level teaching. Findings indicate that a significant number of these student teachers felt middle level teaching was less intellectually challenging but more difficult because of student behavior and discipline problems. (IAH)

The potential contribution of action research to professionalizing teaching is discussed and related to three types of collaboration which are distinguished by roles of participants, degree of institutional support, topics addressed, and type of focus. Also considered is the potential role of action research in encouraging reflective practice.…

Maintains that classroom teachers, often underpaid and overworked, can avoid job dissatisfaction by constantly evaluating their worth to the students they teach. Many teachers may find graduate school, a sabbatical, or a career move into administration or higher education an alternative to teacher burnout. (MDM)

This study investigated whether classroom psychosocial environment, as perceived by student teachers, could be improved to their preferred level. Students completed the College and University Classroom Environment Inventory, discussed interventions, then completed it again. Significant deficiencies surfaced in the learning environment early in the…

This study used path analysis to examine the effects of work-related factors--including principal support, stress, role problems, job satisfaction, and commitment--on 542 Virginia special educators' expressions of intent to stay in teaching. The study concluded that these work-related variables should be included in strategies for retaining…

Describes a study investigating the working conditions of Albanian teachers and their influence on job satisfaction. Indicates that, although the economic and physical conditions were worse than in other countries, levels of job satisfaction and engagement in classroom practices were high. Suggests that work efficiency is predicted by social…

Career intentions of 96 teachers of students with emotional and behavioral disorders were studied, and 36.5 percent planned to leave the field during the upcoming year, while 10.4 percent were unsure about career plans. Issues regarding the organizational structure of the school setting, rather than personal characteristics, were linked to the…

In many urban schools, finding qualified substitutes has become very difficult. As the need for substitutes increases in growing districts, standards become more relaxed. Students lose out because many substitutes lack skills to teach or even control a classroom. The article examines how some districts deal with the problem. (SM)

Discusses the self-perceived efficacy of high school teachers. Offers survey results suggesting that teachers tend to feel most efficacious when teaching high track students, particularly in the areas of mathematics and science. Explores the relevance of teacher preparation, grade level, teacher influence upon working conditions, and degree of…

Argues that education has an inherent political dimension. Provides illustrations from various historical periods and societies of the ways in which educators can be considered political actors. Focuses on curriculum decision making, classroom techniques, teacher-student relations, student evaluation, research, institutional politics, unions, and…

Inductive analyses of the journals of eight elementary, cooperating teachers revealed several consequences of having student teachers, including interruption of instruction, teacher displacement, disruption of classroom routine, breaking teachers' isolation, and shifting teachers' time and energy. (IAH)

Beginning health and physical education (HPE) teachers in rural and urban secondary schools in Australia shared concerns surrounding the status of HPE, HPE teachers' responsibilities, the routine nature of HPE teaching, sexual harassment, and public scrutiny of HPE teachers' lives. Suggests that teacher education programs address the problematic…

Maintains that the field of social studies defines its central purpose through endorsements of citizenship education. Reports on three case studies of elementary teachers using Catherine Cornbleth's three types of citizenship education: the illusory, the technical, and the constructive. (CFR)

The article identifies morale deflaters and inflaters existing in the public school environment, describing the processes used to improve student and staff morale. Several instruments are available to help pinpoint the causes of low morale. The article explains how to use such instruments to change student and staff perceptions. (SM)