The present study examines school professionals' self-reported perceptions of readiness in relation to the implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI) following a mandated deadline across the state of Illinois, as well their beliefs about the framework. A survey was developed to measure variables in the model related to school…

Although there are numerous calls to enhance the professionalism of teachers, there is little empirical research in the United States that examines educators' understanding of the concept. This exploratory case study compared the conceptualization of professionalism by faculty and students in a college of education vis-à-vis the…

This study analyzed coaching conversations and interviews of four coach/teacher partnerships for specific ways in which kindergarten and first-grade teachers, and coaches, conceptualized instructional scaffolding for guided reading. Interview transcripts were coded for coaches' and teachers' specific hypotheses/ ideas regarding instructional…

The author posits that those going into the education field in contemporary times are no longer overly concerned with traditional discouragements such as low salaries; rather, what appears to be desired today by teachers--both novice and veteran--is the "freedom" to make reasonable curricular and instructional choices, and the "administrative…

A year-long action-research graduate seminar was based on the collaboration of the school district, university, and participating teachers. One year later, 16 participating teacher-researchers reported that they were more competent consumers and producers of educational research. Individual effects ranged from subtle impacts on teachers'…

Building on prior teacher workshops, online courses were developed to support classroom implementation of Ohio's English language arts standards by providing models of exemplary classroom practices and creating an online teacher community for sharing experiences and ideas. Although participants in the first course were primarily older teachers…

A longitudinal study of 117 teachers from the beginning of their preservice education through their fifth year of teaching found that attitude toward teaching as a career remained constant during teacher preparation but was less positive after five years of teaching. This attitude was related to 6 of 15 academic and personal characteristics…

Interviews with 149 Ohio educators asked about the characteristics of successful school administrators and compared results to a similar 1987 study. Being supportive, fair, friendly, considerate, and organized appear to be timeless in importance, while being a strong disciplinarian and visible in the school may be characteristics more reflective…

College faculty are pressured to use technology to improve teaching and achieve institutional goals but resist technology due to lack of time, funds, confidence, support staff, or accessibility. Over 30 concrete suggestions are offered for integrating technology into professional and teaching situations, including getting started, streamlining…

Interviews with and classroom observations of six secondary school teachers of U.S. history examined factors that influenced their approach to teaching history. These influences included teachers' personal beliefs about religion and morality, long-term effects of their college history professors, and teachers' social class and family background.…

The personal and teaching efficacy of 39 teachers in a graduate education course was assessed before and after 36 hours of exposure to a learner-centered model of instruction, in which instructional strategies and activities were matched to participants' knowledge and learning styles. Regression analysis indicates positive intervention effects for…

In 97 Ohio school districts, 484 teachers and administrators rated their school's standardized testing practices as average or above, compared to school performance in other areas. Highest rated testing practices were related to test quality, pupil records, and understandable scores and reports; lowest rated practice was use of test results to…

Two teachers participating in professional development involving research were asked to read and respond, in light of their own teaching, to Lisa Delpit's study of the dilemma of progressive education versus teaching traditional skills to disadvantaged black students. The teachers' responses illustrate the importance of teachers' prior beliefs and…

Data on teacher self-assessment practices were collected from 17 elementary teachers in 4 focus groups. Common themes included process and product indicators that triggered self-assessment, irrelevance of most formal teacher evaluations, lack of time for reflection and self-assessment, need for administrator and collegial support, and the nature…

Surveyed 1,164 preservice teachers from Michigan colleges and universities to address attitudes toward computers. Found sex and certification differences in overall positive attitudes. Preservice programs should consider sex differences and continue to increase computer exposure to relieve anxiety. (KS)