The goals, processes, and objectives of teacher evaluation are examined. Evaluation is defined as a planning and decision-making tool, and such evaluation activities as observing, holding conferences, supervising, and writing reports are discussed. An analysis of the tasks involved in teaching is provided so that evaluators will have specific ways…

The Collegial Evaluation Program leads to improved teaching by systematizing a way for teachers to obtain frequent, focused feedback from themselves, their students, and their colleagues. The process can be used by a single pair of teachers, a teaching team, a department, or an entire faculty. The purpose of this manual is to introduce the idea of…

An exploratory study was carried out in four Los Angeles Title I elementary schools to determine what accounted for the comparatively high reading scores made by these schools' students on the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills; determine whether the schools were engaged in demonstrably effective educational practices that other Title I and…

Principles for the design and implementation of practical training experiences for foreign students from developing countries enrolled in formal degree programs at U.S. colleges and universities are outlined. Practical training allows student-trainees to experience the application of classroom knowledge in order to strengthen their contribution to…

This monograph contains a description of continued research efforts in measuring and evaluating preservice teacher competencies and effectiveness in the competency-based teacher education (CBTE) program at the University of Toledo (Ohio). Chapter 1 introduces the assessment rationale, and chapter 2 provides an overview of research literature on…

This paper is part of a paper set which addresses the potential contributions of teacher effectiveness research to science teacher education. The goal of the study is to assess selected research-based teaching and observation practices in combination with an effective staff development procedure in the context of science education. Two techniques,…

Self-evaluation, director observations and evaluations, parent statements, and a lack of staff-child interaction indicated that a problem existed within an infant-toddler group. A practicum was therefore conducted to improve the quality of care. In 12 workshops, inservice training for teachers and student aides was provided to increase use of…

This report describes the conceptual background, design, and methodology for a study of management of academic tasks in junior high school. Previous research suggests that tasks students accomplish in classrooms determine what they actually learn, and acquisition of higher cognitive skills related to interpretation and planning is essential for…

This report describes the design of a test of one aspect of critical thinking ability, the ability to correctly appraise observations. Intended for classroom use with senior high school students, the 50 item Test on Appraising Observations is based on a comprehensive set of principles modified from Robert Ennes' conception of good observation…

Presented in nine separate chapters are nine studies involving the direct observation of science classrooms. Eight of the nine chapters are based on qualitative data collection techniques which typically aim for depth of insight and understanding. Studies included are: "Critical Barriers to the Understanding of Elementary Science: Learning…

This paper reports a six month intervention program in two ninth grade science classes and one eleventh grade human biology class. One teacher, one researcher, and 64 students participated in this action research to improve student learning and attitude through training in metacognition. The researcher was a participant observer, who introduced…

To truly develop as teachers, we need to be free to explore teaching, and exploration can be based on a set of principles and ways to explore. Principles can include: (1) transcending the goal of improving our teaching by aiming at seeing teaching differently, (2) taking responsibility for our own teaching while recognizing the need for others,…

This report utilized data from one portion of a study which compared behavior of boys and girls observed in a natural environment and behavior listed by adult raters. Participants were 72 children and six teachers (all women) from two kindergartens in Hamilton, New Zealand, and a group of mothers and fathers from a third school. Two children were…

This inventory, which was reviewed by vocational educators, lists 206 appropriate teacher behaviors or skills divided into the following seven areas: (1) professional and related; (2) program and course organization; (3) teaching methodology; (4) laboratory management; (5) educational technology or media use; (6) student performance evaluation;…

This paper describes a study of the classroom behavior patterns of 79 reflective and impulsive elementary school children in each of three contextual settings: individual setting (independent, unsupervised seat work); large group setting (15 or more students instructed by the teacher or another adult); and small group setting (similar to large…