A revision of a 1992 publication, this booklet presents standards intended to assist in the establishment and evaluation of programs of teacher preparation, to guide the assessment of the qualifications of literacy professionals, and to inform private and state agencies, policymakers, and the general public as they shape literacy instruction now…

This report discusses factors affecting California's ability to compete for and keep quality teachers. It describes the qualifications of California's current teacher workforce and how they are compensated and discusses research and informed opinions on the influence of money and other factors on teachers' employment decisions. The report…

Environmental educators often maintain that elementary education should work to improve and protect the environment by producing environmentally informed, committed, and active citizens. However, research shows that implementation of environmental education in elementary schools is problematic and not very successful. This paper identifies a…

Teachers' views of the nature of science largely determine the way that they present science to their students. This study investigated the emerging philosophies of science and teaching in eight preservice science teacher interns. The study was conducted with a standardized open-ended interview format. Most interns viewed science as an exciting,…

One of the strongest predictors of quality programming for young children is teacher preparation. This report presents two studies: the first examining state early childhood teacher education requirements; and the second examining state curriculum guidelines for early childhood education. Section 1 of the report details the method and findings of…

Scores on professional licensure exams and transcript grades, used to evaluate the competencies of entry level teachers, fail to reflect the wide range of complex knowledge, skills, and dispositions that quality professional educators possess. As the demand for authentic, standards-based assessment of teacher performance continues to grow, teacher…

This paper critically reviews the specific role played by universities in initial teacher training. It highlights several unique contributions to good quality teacher training within the university setting. These include advanced subject matter training, research-based instruction, and a critical reflection on practice. The paper also identifies a…

This book argues that the current process for teacher licensing does not always guarantee competence in the classroom, and it offers advice on how to prepare and evaluate aspiring teachers for the challenges of their profession. It places Minnesota's experience in the context of current reform efforts and suggests that developing and requiring a…

This study assessed preservice teachers' and teacher educators' knowledge regarding issues related to multicultural education. Participants were 78 preservice teachers who completed the Multicultural Knowledge Test during the first class period of a Social Foundations of Education course. There were also 45 teacher educators at the same university…

This paper presents the stories of two urban middle school science teachers, both identified as leaders in their districts. Both bring substantial expertise to science education, though neither has experienced optimal conditions for flourishing as teacher leaders. One teacher has strong content knowledge and a deep understanding of standards. The…

Scientific illiteracy in society begins in grade school, but preservice elementary teachers typically take only one or two disconnected science courses towards certification. Faculty from four disciplines developed an integrated science course tailored for elementary education majors. Students learn the importance of a well-rounded scientific…

Reanalysis of data on 154 British Columbia teachers and 2,533 third-grade students, drawn from the 1990-91 Reading Literacy Study of the International Association for Evaluation of Educational Achievement. Despite British Columbia's reputation for whole-language reforms, teacher approaches to reading instruction were eclectic and unrelated to…

A study involving 54 preservice teachers examined the outcomes of an alternative basic certification program in special education offered by the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Results found the program was effective, attracted more mature, diverse, life-experienced individuals than traditional education programs, and included more minority…

Suggests that a holistic approach to teaching prospective teachers should encompass a knowledge base drawn from three paradigms: (1) instrument/technical; (2) interpretive/constructivist; and (3) emancipative/social reconstruction. Argues that use of such an approach will result in professional maturation and an expansion in influence in the…

Using a review of current literature, this article discusses faculty preparation and higher education's commitment to pedagogical instruction and skill development. Identifies 19 institutions that offer graduate degree programs, exclusive of the Doctor of Arts, intended to prepare college faculty. Asserts that the teaching disciplines must…