In an effort to develop a contextually-based evaluation of teacher competence, a three-year study was undertaken that focused on the classroom practices of beginning science teachers and beginning science teachers' perceptions and reflections of the teacher competence evaluation. Data related to instructional skills and changes in the growth of…

This study examined the influence of the student teaching program within the College of Education at the University of Bahrain on the prior beliefs and attitudes of 120 student teachers. A 24-item questionnaire was constructed, based on dilemmas of teaching and learning (knowledge and curriculum, the teacher's role, and the teacher-student…

This study combined survey data with qualitative analysis to explore the preservice preparation of teachers of English language learners (ELLs). The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education disseminated surveys to member institutions and Web site users, examining the breadth and depth of preparation programs for such teachers. The…

Over the past decade, education reforms have raised the educational bar for all children in the United States--including newcomers. These reforms place tremendous pressures on children and teachers. In addition to mastering the content-area curriculum, children must become skilled users of language. They must be highly competent in reading and…

This paper reports on a study of the relationship between teacher evaluation scores in a school implementing knowledge- and skills-based pay and classroom student achievement. The study occurred in a California charter elementary school that was 100 percent Title I, 100 percent free/reduced lunch, and had predominantly limited English speaking…

This volume seeks to identify the changes in teaching and learning foreign languages that are likely to be encountered in the next century and to describe the role that teachers, students, and administrators play in controlling such change. This volume seeks to respond to these questions in a unified and insightful manner and provide perspective…

This study analyzed aspects of a knowledge base for teaching and ways that teachers understood and described the required student knowledge base, highlighting the construction of a knowledge base for elementary teaching. Participants were elementary teachers and staff from one Brazilian elementary school. Teachers wrote reports on what they…

This summary examines public opinion research about teacher quality and strategies for improving U.S. teaching quality. Researchers examined surveys of teachers, school board members, principals, students, and the public. This review investigates: what constitutes quality teaching; how to define good teachers; the importance of teacher quality;…

Professional development that aims to transform teaching and build substantial knowledge of science and mathematics content is not a simple task of "design and implement"; rather, it involves remaining alert to the changing context in which professional developers are working, the stages of development teachers move through as they develop new…

This paper explains that the old NCATE standards had five themes which survive in various forms in NCATE 2000. The conceptual framework and themes of diversity and technology continue to be heavily emphasized. Elements of the conceptual framework include shared vision, coherence, professional commitments/dispositions, commitments to diversity…

Based on the view that fostering positive values and a sense of community in children is the heart of the early childhood teacher's role, this booklet offers suggestions for instilling respect, responsibility, and compassion in young children in early childhood settings. The booklet presents a philosophy and a set of practices by which preschool…

This paper reports on a longitudinal case study of an elementary teacher during her transition from preservice to inservice teaching. Bandura's (1995) concept of self-efficacy belief is used as a framework for presenting the findings of the study. The subject's experiences in science teaching provided information about her competency as a teacher,…

Elementary teachers' attitudes towards science and their confidence to teach it have for some time been identified as important in determining both the quality and quantity of science taught to children. Attitudes and confidence are influenced greatly by the teachers' own experiences as learners of science. This paper reports on a longitudinal…

This publication provides an overview of the proceedings of the Superintendents' and Deans' Summit on Transformation and Collaboration for Student Success. The overarching goal of the Summit was to develop a formal mechanism for forging the professional expertise of field-based practitioners and college level professional education programs.…

This study examined how elementary teacher candidates in a program that emphasized the integration of computer-based technologies as tools for teaching and learning used technology, both personally and professionally, during the teacher preparation program. The study also examined factors that influenced their disposition to use and integrate…