A qualitative study (multiple-case study design using reflective journals, in-depth semistructured interviews, and intensive personal observations) of eight secondary preservice teachers to determine professional growth phases during a field-based teacher education program leading to public school certification. Study identified six categories of…

Interviews with 11 local education authorities in the former Strathclyde Region (Scotland) examined the provision of services for children with "disorders of language and communication," related outreach and support services, terminology problems (autism subsumed under "communication disorders"), staffing, and referral…

Project LIFE, a state systemic initiatives professional development program for middle-grade life science teachers, has been successful in improving the science content knowledge, process skills, and attitudes toward teaching science of the teachers participating in the project. The essential characteristics of this project are described as a…

Discusses the efforts of Troup County (Georgia) to restructure their schools and curriculum to provide all students with an equal education without resorting to tracking or heterogeneous grouping practices. Five main strategies are discussed: reorganization of curriculum and grouping in each school; professional development; developing a Magnet…

The Effective Schools Project (ESP) is a collaborative staff development program serving public schools surrounding Tarleton State University in rural Texas since 1988. Describes how schools become involved in ESP, school improvement activities, program administration, the role of the university in program implementation, and professional…

Describes an Australian Catholic school district's efforts to pursue school effectiveness by implementing system-level practices embodying Fullan's notions of support and pressure. Key elements included school development processes and appraisal and professional development for principals and teachers. The system has mobilized resources for…

Despite the profession's support of the developmental model for design and delivery of counseling programs, many school counselors are unsure how to implement developmental programming. Suggests specific areas for professional development for counselor educators and school counselors. Presents a staff development program for school counselors that…

Examines events that facilitated collaborative school-university research within a Professional Development School (PDS). Analysis of observation notes from school visits, records of schools' work with university liaisons, and surveys of PDS and school faculty indicated that PDS teachers highly valued sharing knowledge with colleagues. Several…

The Whole School Approach to Early Literacy Development program, implemented in high-needs schools in Calgary (Alberta), focused on changing school culture so that teachers, administrators, parents, specialists, and students cooperated to meet high expectations for student achievement. Participating schools committed to six requirements that…

A survey of 123 early intervention professionals found they considered recommendations for providing culturally appropriate services important. However, multiple barriers often hindered implementation. Lack of time was the most common barrier to providing culturally appropriate practices, followed by lack of training and lack of materials.…

As part of a national policy to increase access to modern foreign/ second languages at the elementary level, voluntary generalist elementary teachers with some proficiency in relevant languages were provided intensive professional development in language teaching methodology with a view to heir implementing the policy in their schools. Presents…

A seminar on menopausal health was presented to a live audience and remote audiences at 10 sites in rural Queensland (Australia) via videoconferencing. Questionnaires completed by 128 audience members indicated positive reception of the content and delivery method. Similar replies from live and remote audience members indicated that the…

Examined elementary preservice professional development school (PDS) preparation and subsequent entry/retention in teaching. Data on PDS and non-PDS students prior to and during traditional and PDS student teaching indicated no significant differences between the groups prior to student teaching, but significant differences in favor of the…

Two community learning programs that use a professional development center approach to teacher education are described. In one, preservice teachers become part of a school community by participating in real classroom settings; the second, offering a laboratory classroom for elementary school children, brings education professors and students into…

Describes a new model of elementary teacher training at Western Washington University. Guided by college and public school faculty and students' preservice teachers learn how to use technology. This full-time certification program emphasizes current technology and intensive experience. A final project features students' producing useful projects…