Reports on a survey of preservice teachers regarding their perceptions of gender and ethnic disparity in academic achievement. Most of the subjects recognized the ways that society and school contribute to gender disparities, and over half mentioned society and school as factors contributing to ethnic disparities. (SM)

Review of gender messages in education foundation textbooks evaluated explicit content and implicit messages. Most of the texts covertly subscribed to the notion of a dichotomous nature of gender roles, proclaiming a cultural consensus on how educators should treat persons fitting the roles and disregarding action toward gender equity. (SM)

Describes a conceptual framework that integrates teacher cognitive, critical, and personal characteristics; the framework serves to guide the development of reflective decision making, showing teacher educators how to form effective teachers. The model's collegial environment encourages efficacy, flexibility, consciousness, and social…

A three-year study of graduates of a teacher education program assessed the extent to which education and subject matter coursework predicted teaching performance. Results indicated that coursework in teacher education made a positive difference in teaching performance and was a more powerful predictor of teacher effectiveness than measures of…

Reports on a survey of 664 institutions with graduate programs in education which examined how they were moving toward teacher certification programs extending beyond the traditional four-year baccalaureate. Results indicate that teacher education is still primarily an undergraduate activity and that diversity continues to be the defining…

Applied ethics courses in education emphasize an analytical or rules/principles approach to resolving ethical dilemmas, whereas character/structure and background beliefs/ideals tend to be minimized. The article describes the importance of all three approaches, noting their implications for developing teachers' capacities to make caring and…

A study of elementary teachers and students suggests an ethic of caring is essential to the definition of effective teaching. The article describes a process for restructuring teacher education programs based on that ethic and notes seven characteristics of a teacher education program promoting development of an ethic of caring. (SM)

Establishing caring relationships with students challenges all teachers. The article examines one student teacher's intentions to care and control, noting teacher educators and novices must understand the tensions and connections of caring and controlling. Constraints on student teachers' powers to care and establishment of legitimate authority…

Presents themes essential in developing a child-centered social ethic. Teacher educators can prepare prospective teachers to promote social justice with and for students. Adopting an ethical stance toward children means addressing oppressive social and political aspects of childhood; understanding and validating children's experiences,…

Addresses causes and consequences for teacher educators of ignoring development of students' moral imagination and sense of efficacy. Critically reflective teacher education must help students understand and overcome social and educational dynamics. The article discusses Knox College's teacher preparation program, describing its emphasis on…

Presents recommendations for using cooperative learning with preservice elementary and secondary education teachers based on experiences in more than 35 courses. The article describes nine cooperative learning strategies and presents the results of a survey of preservice students' attitudes toward cooperative learning. (SM)

The University of Kansas provided information on funding of teacher education by analyzing financial data from 6 research universities over 10 years. Results indicate schools of education do not hold favorable positions in research universities. They are generally the lowest funded unit on campus and have lost ground over time. (SM)

Describes four traditions of reform in twentieth-century U.S. teacher education: academic, social efficiency, developmentalist, and social reconstructionist. Each tradition is illustrated with examples from contemporary and earlier programs. It is argued that this framework of reform traditions can help clarify differences among ideas and…

Results are reported from an analysis of institutional reform efforts of 50 teacher education institutions. Six types of reform are discussed: new connections with arts and sciences faculty, teacher and school collaborations, professional development schools, internships, professional studies, and new organizational partnerships. (IAH)

Evidence suggests a modest relationship between advanced study and teaching effectiveness. Cost analysis of a Virginia proposal to require universal master's degrees concludes that such a requirement is an inefficient school improvement method. The impact of such requirements on teachers, schools of education, teacher shortages, and attrition are…