In this article, first the authors describe the aims of and a definition of social studies education and classroom assessment. Second, the authors provide an overview of issues related to classroom assessment followed by trends in social studies classrooms and assessment. Then the authors address essential systems and best practices related to…

Field experiences hold great promise for preparing candidates for effective urban teaching. This article reviews the research investigating the influence of field experiences on teacher candidates' perceptions of urban students from 1995 to 2010. The 36 articles that met the authors' criteria were organized into three general categories: studies…

The debate concerning who teachers are and what they are supposed to do continues with similar fervor as 100 years ago. In today's political climate, there is a resurgence in essentialism (a focus on traditional instruction and teacher-led curricula). As our nation's teachers face the demands of accountability standards imposed by recent…

The belief that teachers are professionals has become so pervasive during the past one third century that it is increasingly viewed as a fact. This article reviews the 13 characteristics of a profession advanced by sociologists of occupations, and it provides evidence that teachers fall far short of achieving them. However, it is noteworthy that…

The legal preparedness of preservice teachers has a longstanding history that consists of nonempirical findings and published research, including dissertations. This slowly evolving body of literature and research has been clouded by unsubstantiated claims and studies of weak research design. This article attempts to unravel the literature from…

The purpose of this article is to inform teachers, administrators, students, and university faculty about the most important legal topics to include in preservice teacher education programs. Surprisingly, only a few studies have attempted to identify the most important topics. This article reviews the relevant literature regarding school law…

Lack of communication between cooperating teachers and preservice teachers is one of the most commonly reported problems during field experiences. To provide more opportunity for feedback during preservice teachers' clinical experiences, a large elementary education program in a midwestern university implemented the use of peer feedback practices…

This case study describes the impact of high-stakes testing on a first-year teacher's literacy instruction. Results indicated that content from literacy methods courses was often abandoned in favor of compliance to a test preparatory program. As an intervention, I began teaching in the third-grade classroom while the beginning teacher observed.…

This investigation offers a programmatic perspective into how a certain group of elementary preservice teachers experienced and evaluated their teacher education program by periodically assessing progress with regard to needs being met. A Likert-scale survey including open-ended responses was administered to 123 elementary preservice teachers at…

There is increasing use of distance-learning technologies to deliver alternative teacher licensure and certification programs for those areas of shortage such as rural and urban areas and those content areas for which it is difficult to find highly qualified teachers. This article reviews those collaborative groups, partnerships, and institutions…

The purpose of this inquiry was to utilize the concept of "landscapes of teaching" in the analysis of a classic film about a venerated teacher, "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" (1939). First, the aim of the analysis is to provide insights into teacher development and to discuss the sacred and mystical dimensions of teaching (Craig, 1995). Second, the analysis…

Traces the national reform movement in teacher education. making connections between elements of that reform and statewide reform in Maryland. Components in the Holmes Group, Carnegie Commission, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards are compared and contrasted to…

Reviews research linking social and cognitive processes, exploring implications for schooling and teacher education. The social basis of cognitive development is examined, highlighting Vygotsky's work and major aspects of his theory. Implications of sociohistorical perspectives on aspects of schooling are examined, and promising practices related…

Examines research that portrays shifts from technology as instructional media to technology as a cognitive tool in teacher education. After discussing various print resources that provide perspective, the paper recommends several World Wide Web sites as entry points to information about innovative educational applications of technology on the…

Induction has been identified as a crucial stage in a teacher's career development. The role of the university in an induction program, along with factors in the university and school culture which support or thwart program development, are outlined in this article. (MT)