Finds that extended practicum experiences in elementary science teaching positively increases preservice science elementary teachers' (n=64) personal science-teaching-efficacy beliefs. Contains 17 references. (WRM)

Argues for the potential of hands on activities with simple materials to help develop understanding of physical phenomena among students of all age groups. (WRM)

This article argues that if the policy of inclusion in Great Britain is to have value, impact, and longevity it needs to be considered in the light of the prevailing real-world context of special education-focused teacher education. Recommendations are made for addressing special education in teacher education programs. (Contains references.) (CR)

This case study illustrates how a highly trained and experienced early childhood educator thinks about her interactions with preschoolers. Verbal and nonverbal patterns emerging from videotaped observations demonstrated how the teacher integrated information about specific children into these interactions. Although children's conceptions of time…

Examined preservice teachers' perspectives on learning to plan within a Vygotskian-designed, reflective program. Participants made curriculum decisions and revisions and reflected on technical and conceptual aspects of teaching discussed in methods courses. Case studies of participants' self-reports indicated concerns for individualized learning…

This article recommends revamping special education certification to support quality education in inclusive settings by aligning special education certification with general education certification, allowing for collaborative teacher training for general and special education at the initial certification level, and providing advanced training for…

This commentary reviews previous articles highlighting key issues relevant to special education teacher certification. It discusses the low percentage of students who complete teacher education courses and are teaching three years later, the need to restructure special education certification, and the promise of distance education in teacher…

Finds a significant positive correlation between elementary preservice teachers' ability to perform science process skills and their attitudes toward science. (Contains 27 references.) (Author/WRM)

Widespread agreement exists that U.S. teachers need improved mathematics knowledge for teaching. Over the past decade, policymakers have funded a range of professional development efforts designed to address this need. However, there has been little success in determining whether and when teachers develop mathematical knowledge from professional…

This study examines the perceptions of college students on teacher quality components, with exclusive focus on teacher qualifications. To accomplish the objective this study identifies the perceptions of college student on teacher quality components. Data for the study were collected from 218 college students enrolled in a HBCU from the…

A complex and changing society requires education that prepares its citizens with complex skills. Yet, successful implementation of the complex pedagogies needed for our rapidly changing world involve teaching strategies and knowledge not yet commonplace in classrooms. To effectively teach K-12 students today and in the future, teacher candidates…

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine early childhood student teachers' perceptions of their confidence and competence in the subject areas of the New Zealand Curriculum Framework (NZCF). The preliminary findings are presented from an analysis of questionnaires, testing and focus group interviews. Study design and methods of collecting…

This paper discusses the increasing imperative for teachers who work in cultural settings other than their own to develop an understanding of their own world-view and the impact their assumptions about teachers, school, students, family and so on have on their teaching practice. The brief narrative of one cultural world-view provides an example of…

Finding ways to better understand prospective teachers' development is central to teacher preparation. To effectively foster development, teacher educators must determine how their students conceptualize and understand teachers' work: How do they understand learning and learners? What are their general and specific understandings of subject…

In large urban school districts across the country, shortages of teachers who are qualified for and interested in working in critical content areas are reality. Alternative licensing routes, broadly defined as licensure programs not requiring traditional university teacher preparation work, are increasing in number and a variety of structures.…