Summarizes factors in cultural experience that affect approaches to learning and problem solving. Reviews evidence of the past 30 years on cognitive style differences in U.S. culturally diverse groups: Asian Americans, Mexican Americans, African Americans, and Native Americans. Discusses mediating effects of gender and social class within cultural…

Discusses three aspects of mentoring practices revealed by research on how teachers work together in naturalistic elementary school settings: (1) mentoring is just one of several types of supportive behaviors needed and practiced by teachers; (2) support networks differ between male and female teachers; and (3) informal mentoring occurs in schools…

Explores the various responses of four first-year English teachers to a state-mandated mentor program in New Jersey and implications for Wisconsin's proposal for a distinct mentor-supported license stage for beginning teachers. Suggests that mentors must appreciate their responsibilities and that school administrators must support the…

As states begin mandating induction-year programs as part of teacher preparation and certification, three issues have surfaced: the lack of consistency in definitions of mentoring among stakeholders, both between and within states; the need for the development of appropriate and effective models of mentoring; and the need for adequate funding to…

Outlines aspects of effective mentoring and teacher induction programs. Lists typical goals of effective mentoring programs and specific skills and competencies of trained mentors. Discusses frameworks for evaluating the impact of mentoring programs on beginning teachers, and suggests that the developing teacher moves through three stages:…

Outlines the principal's key role in mentor programs for beginning teacher induction: initiating the program, defining the needs of beginning teachers, selecting mentors, defining mentors' roles, providing training for mentors, staying personally involved with both mentors and beginning teachers, and evaluating the program. (SV)

During a meeting of the Ohio Education Association, teachers raised concerns about a pending state mandate requiring school districts to provide mentoring programs for beginning teachers. Concerns relevant to teacher unions/organizations included funding for adequate teacher release time, the mentor role, mentor selection, training, scheduling of…

To prepare for state-mandated mentoring of beginning teachers, educators from North Royalton City School District (Ohio) and higher education faculty developed a graduate course for novice mentors. The Pathwise Performance Assessment provided a framework for discussing teacher behaviors. Mentors learned cognitive coaching skills to implement the…

Describes the development of an award-winning university/school partnership whose core is teacher development through mentoring. The partnership provides ample opportunities for professional development of practicing teachers, cultivates effective field placement sites for preservice teachers, and focuses on helping teachers reach their full…

Dichotomizes academic research and educational policymaking as distinct and often conflicting cultures. Examines legislative support of higher education as an illustration of the research-policy disconnection. Summarizes recent criticisms of higher education research. Discusses differing "mind frames" of researchers and policymakers, their mutual…

Western Governors University (WGU) was initiated by 15 western governors in response to perceived needs in the marketplace and as a supplement to traditional institutions. WGU features competency-based credentials (certificates and degrees) rather than course-based programs; distance learning; focus on nontraditional, working students; third-party…

The faculty career is changing in response to external and internal pressures. Discusses pressures for institutional change, current faculty demographics, and possible institutional responses including modifications to traditional tenure systems (changes to the probationary period and time base of tenure, productivity concerns) and faculty career…

Defines educational voucher programs and summarizes arguments in their favor. Discusses the strength of the voucher movement, the ideology and attitudes behind it, and the current extent of voucher programs in the United States. Reviews research on publicly funded voucher programs, focusing on the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and the…

For its 1998 annual conference, the Midwestern Educational Research Association allowed submission of presentation proposals in the traditional paper format or via the conference Web site. Analysis of the 193 proposals received showed that electronic submission was a feasible means to receive proposals and that electronic and paper submissions…

Explores the contests among different groups that have marked the conduct of educational research in the last 100 years, and suggests that the development of wide support for education research will depend on surmounting the jurisdictional challenges that have previously prevented sustained agreement about the methods and focus of the field.…