This fact sheet describes the role of the transition specialist, an individual who plans, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates transition educational services at the school or system level, in conjunction with other educators, families, students, and representatives of community organizations. It summarizes the competencies for transition…

Although it is not yet common practice, case studies are beginning to be used in undergraduate music methods classes. One fruitful approach is the use of case studies as a means of nurturing reflective practice through cooperative learning activities. This paper describes and presents support for the case method of instruction through a review of…

Noting recent research findings indicating that commonly used transition practices may not be well-suited to the needs of children and families, this report summarizes educational policy issues related to the transition to kindergarten and presents recommendations for policy changes. The report notes that the transition to kindergarten and the…

Reviews research on the role of context in learning how to teach physical education. Discusses how to develop strategies for learning teaching context, the integration of concepts into the teaching act, and ways to design teacher education programs that designate context and have deliberate strategies to prepare students for context. (SM)

Suggests links from research to practice in key areas of inclusive early childhood education including teachers' knowledge base and beliefs, communication, physical environment, activities and materials, social interactions, and curriculum and instruction. (DB)

This paper describes prevailing models of teacher education programs in Israel and notes differences in their student teaching components. Suggests that the variability is due to different views regarding professional, epistemological, and sociopolitical factors, which result in a variety of teacher education programs, especially practicum…

Suggests that the curricular fit of climate change is best in Earth systems-oriented classrooms. Discusses the opposition to human-mediated climate change as a curriculum topic. (Contains 32 references.) (DDR)

Proposes an alternative knowledge base to that currently articulated for physical education teacher preparation, examining knowledge areas important in preparing novices for teaching in current and future schools: Education and Physical Education, knowledge production and access, the person in/and society, cross-boundary experiences, and politics,…

A study of six teacher education programs examined the preservice experiences of 70 novice general education teachers to determine conditions that may inhibit or facilitate their progress toward differentiation for academically diverse learners. Results found that their training in the nature and needs of exceptional learners was scant. (Author/CR)

Studied elementary through high school teachers' views on how to improve teacher preparation programs. Found that recommendations were consistent with those proposed by current reform initiatives: (1) requiring all teachers to know subject content; (2) teaching pedagogy in the context of academic content; and (3) offering prospective teachers many…

Asserts that the lack of adequate geography instruction for preservice teachers has reached the level of crisis. Identifies a number of academic pressures and prejudices that have contributed to this crisis. Discusses a series of established and proposed programs designed to address these deficiencies. (MJP)

A preservice physics/chemistry course was created that was inspired by constructivist thinking, that emphasized metacognition, and that integrated concepts of pedagogical and scientific topics by developing a teaching/learning cycle. Denmark's educational system and the implementation of the course are described. Preliminary evaluations suggest…

This article describes the implementation of a self assessment process based on competencies and validated behavioral indicators used statewide in Georgia for personnel in early intervention. An analysis of 3500 self-assessment forms found that self assessments were useful as one measure for evaluating the effectiveness of training. (Contains…

This essay considers several issues that impact on children's education, creating communities of learning within schools, and the education of educators. Among the questions considered are what does it mean to know; what knowledge is of most worth; and how and what should teachers know. (35 references) (IAH)

Interview data were collected from eight student teachers from universities in Australia and the United States to determine how student teachers perceive the process of learning to teach, particularly with regard to certain themes: setting goals, modeling, gaining experience, developing routines, and trial and error. Implications for teacher…