Examined newly certified Irish secondary teachers' feelings about the adequacy of their preservice teacher preparation, experiences with beginning teacher supports, and visions for induction. Results indicated they were generally satisfied with preservice training, enjoyed the rewards of seeing students learn, but were concerned about discipline…

Describes a framework for integrating reflection and teacher competency development into teacher education programs, introducing a spiral model for reflection, standard reflection questions, and a method of structuring logbooks, all designed to develop a competency for self-directed professional growth in interpersonal classroom behavior. An…

Examined the academic and social integration experiences of English and Irish first-year preservice teachers. Survey data indicated that students in both countries were committed to their courses, satisfied with their choice of courses, and planning to continue the next year. They had high academic aspirations. English students appeared better…

Presents an overview of various approaches to evaluating inservice teacher education in the United Kingdom and elaborating on one approach: evaluation for decision making (including context evaluation, input evaluation, process evaluation, product evaluation, and transfer evaluation). The paper also discusses some general principles to help…

Investigated the ability of Swedish student teachers to explain everyday phenomena in science education, asking all fourth-term student teachers about phenomena where transformations of matter were involved. Analysis of students' written answers indicates that there is a great need in teacher training to work with conceptual understanding and with…

Investigated how Israeli secondary physics student teachers developed understanding of the concept of force during preservice teaching. Results from a longitudinal study included the fact that most respondents: held the Aristotelian impetus misconception; held the fading-away concept; had difficulty recognizing reaction as a force; and were…

Surveyed and interviewed 13 experienced German middle school mathematics teachers to examine key factors causing discontinuity in their professional development. Results included 49 statements about change that fell into four categories. Researchers extracted three change factors not reported in earlier literature: experiences and observations…

Describes a mathematics early intervention program that involves faculty development to help teachers identify, then assist, first graders at risk of mathematics failure. The program incorporates tools and learning activities based on recent research about children's early numerical learning. The course highlights the benefits of clinical…

Presents an overview of the current situation within the Korean teaching profession, highlighting major issues and problems (e.g., low professionalism; ineffective preservice and inservice teacher education; rigid, bureaucratic personnel management; legalization of the Teacher Union; and poor working conditions) and introducing the Ministry of…

Introduces the Korean preservice teacher training system, explaining efforts within the last 2 decades to improve the quality of teacher training; describing problems (e.g., imbalances between teacher supply and demand and irrelevance of the curriculum); highlighting the national evaluation program for teacher training institutions; and noting an…

Describes school-based autonomous supervision (SBAS), a Korean staff development strategy. SBAS involves supervisory activities performed by staff members in individual schools without outside control. SBAS characteristics include: school-centeredness; self-governance; cooperation; diversity; continuity; and self-development. To effectively…

Describes innovative efforts to improve Korean teacher professionalism, reduce the rising dissatisfaction among parents, and support teachers who need improved skills and abilities in order to excel in a changing society. Reform efforts include adoption of the Teacher-Oriented Field Training Program, execution of a merit-based pay system, and…

Reviews Korean female-teacher-related policies, focusing on: policies for improving the working conditions of women in schools; promotion-related policies for facilitating female teachers' advancement to administrative posts; and a gender-quota system for reducing the proportion of female teachers in the teaching profession. The paper concludes…

Discusses gender differences in academic achievement and cognitive development in China, noting gender differences in school treatment that have negative effects on girls' learning and achievement. The paper reviews Chinese educational processes and outcomes and summarizes various efforts designed to enhance gender equity in education, noting…

Interviewed Finnish elementary teachers regarding how they justified their practical knowledge. Practical knowledge was characterized by constant interplay between procedural and uncertain knowing. Teachers depended on the ways knowledge was formed and expressed in school contexts and on the authority of the person. Teaching was a vocation…