Teachers today are expected to meet the diverse needs of all of their students and know an array of instructional methods, which requires continual professional development (Darling-Hammond 1998). Darling-Hammond (1998, 7) stated that the "strongest predictor of student achievement is the percentage of well-qualified teachers in a school,…

In this article, the author features Computers for Youth (CFY), a nonprofit organization that provides computers, software, and training to sixth-grade students and their families at low-income schools. Founded in 1999, Computers for Youth works with low-income schools to put computers in the homes of sixth-grade students and bring parents into…

This study considers two discourses of current relevance to national and international educators--early professional learning (EPL) and curriculum change. Induction arrangements for early career teachers (ECTs), EPL and informal learning have received considerable attention in the past few years. Changes to induction inevitably have knock-on…

This paper examines the development of professional identity in early career teachers enrolled in an "add-on year" of an undergraduate teacher education degree. Through a series of readings focused on reflection and pedagogy, participants engaged in professional dialogue as they made connections between the themes in their professional…

Intervention at scale with the aim of improving student participation, engagement and outcomes in mathematics education is a challenge for educational policy makers and reformers. This article argues that an iterative annual cycle of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation enabled ongoing adjustments to the strategic focus, the…

Recently, there have been increased calls for enhancing preschool children's mathematics knowledge along with increasing calls for preparing preschool teachers to meet the demands of new preschool mathematics curricula. This article describes the professional development program Starting Right: Mathematics in Preschools. Focusing on four episodes…

An exploratory factorial analysis of the Multicultural and Special Education Survey (MSES) evaluated the professional development training needs of general and special educators in a midwestern state. Survey items were selected from the culturally and linguistically diverse multicultural, bilingual and special education literature bases (CLD). The…

Well-trained new special education teachers know that the individualized education program (IEP) team is the crux of the special education program. The IEP team addresses academic goals and behavior intervention plans for the student but rarely addresses in depth the social environment of the school, classroom, or family. Important aspects of the…

This article explores and illuminates the meaning of nurses' experiences with their work as a learning environment. A qualitative hermeneutic approach guided the research process and the analysis and interpretation of the transcribed interview-texts of eleven graduate nurses. Three core themes emerged from these informants' descriptions of their…

Educational leaders nationwide have been challenged by ineffective tenured teachers who continue to impact student learning. In the era of No Child Left Behind, educational leaders struggle to ensure that students receive high quality education. This problem-based research project attempted to support state, district and building educational…

The definition of a "traditional" classroom has undergone a significant change in the last few decades. The classroom of today in the 21st century provides much more technologically advanced tools. With the rapid advancements made in educational technology every year, teachers have had to learn to change and use new tools in their teaching. …

The purpose of this study was to examine teacher perceptions of professional learning communities in three middle schools. This research examined the perceived impact of professional learning communities on teaching and on student learning. One question guided this research. "What are the teachers' perceptions of seventh grade learning…

Professional development (PD) is key to improving mathematics teaching and learning in the middle grades. Many PD projects and initiatives have been undertaken across the United States. Yet, we know very little about what teachers learn in and through such PD, nor about what those who conduct the PD might be learning as well. This knowledge gap…

This action research study examines targeted instruction and its effect on academic referrals to elementary intervention and referral service committees. The West Harvard School District was not effectively utilizing targeted instruction, and there was a distinct lack of a differentiated vision throughout the district. This lack of differentiation…

Creating a quality induction program can create positive changes in the school district. "Thoughtful preparation combined with dedicated and ongoing support can yield real improvements in the classroom" (K. Wiebke & J. Bardin, 2009, p. 37). Current research indicates that there is a need to support new teachers during the early…