Over two decades, national assessments in Ghana have revealed generally poor performances across curriculum-based tests for primary school (Grades 1-6). Various reform agendas have been applied to the education system, sometimes with isolated success, but the overall performances remained stable and low. Surveying teacher mentors in schools…

Schoolteachers worldwide were and remain the main source of future school leaders. However, some researchers believe that teachers may not be sufficiently qualified to serve as school principals. As such, it might be better to find candidates suitable for running schools elsewhere, in different social groups, not necessarily within the education…

The purpose of this study was to explore how elementary principals facilitate and serve as catalysts for successful reading instruction and student achievement. The authors interviewed 10 elementary school principals in two school districts in a southern state to determine how they acted as instructional leaders in the area of reading in their…

Teachers can best process their duties by renewing themselves according to today's context. The modifications in science, technology, culture, and social life change the educational theory and its application. Teachers should have to effectively adapt themselves to these changes. This is possible only by arranging continual in-service training for…

This article chronicles the efforts of one college faculty and their school partners to respond to the contemporary challenges faced by teacher education. It depicts the authors' journey through the planning and implementation of an innovative initial certification master's of arts in teaching (MAT) program in elementary education in the…

The purpose of this study is to make suggestions for primary schools to become organizational learning environments, by searching the relationship between the characteristics and behaviors of school administrators and the formation of an organizational learning environment in primary schools. The author used a survey model in this research and…

Describes an elementary school counselor, a "major player" who helped transform her school into a problem-solving culture. If school counselors have a driving vision, secure identity, solid counseling capabilities, and believe themselves to be educational leaders, they can help equally courageous principals transform learning environments.…

A recent survey shows that Texas elementary teachers believe most students' science-education needs are adequately met in their schools. About 12 percent of 85,000 teachers are involved in collaborative ventures related to teaching and learning in science. Teachers recommended developing better science curricula and preservice courses. (MLH)

Moral (rather than "corporate") accountability in education is essential; so is a human-centered leadership approach. Findings from an Australian study that investigated elementary principals' responsiveness to teachers' learning show how these leaders exercised their moral, professional, and contractual accountability to support a caring,…

Evaluates Science Education in Pacific Schools (SEPS), a project addressing science-education deficiencies in 12 small Pacific Island countries. The assessment revealed inadequate, outdated, and unattractive science teaching resources in some countries; badly sequenced and duplicative curriculum projects across the region; and lack of teacher…

Explores how one state's draft standards addressed five areas: skill development/maintenance through inservice, existence of different teaching and learning styles, effects of varied teaching experiences, development of commonly- and rarely-used skills, and standards' potential for fostering inclusion. Nine participating teachers reported greatest…

Public school decentralization has increased involvement of multiple constituencies in school governance. This study of a private school and a public school illustrates the complexities of leading teachers in the decision-making process. Both principals were transformational leaders, but teachers were not empowered enough to make changes. (34…

Discusses recent findings on looping's effects in our educational system and on parent/teacher attitudes in the school community. Analyzes parent survey data gathered at an urban elementary school in a large midwestern school corporation. Results suggest guarded support for multigraded classes, as effects on achievement gains are unknown. (13…

Grade retention is ineffective. It is often imposed for nonacademic reasons, fails to improve academic achievement, and exacerbates the dropout problem. Social promotion is equally ineffective at providing appropriate instruction for low-performing students. Feasible alternatives include group problem solving, personalized instruction, and…

Discusses findings and implications of the Texas Poll of Elementary School Teachers. Fifth- and sixth-grade teachers spend more time teaching just science than do teachers in lower grades. Most teachers believed science is not a high priority at their school. Insufficient time, materials, and resources are limiting factors. (15 references) (MLH)