Teacher talks about difficulty of dealing with often contradictory changes in instructional methods, especially in teaching reading. (PKP)

Essay on school reform argues that quality teachers are key to successful reform, not reform rhetoric by state governors and U.S. Presidents. Asserts that primary mission of schooling is to provide students an educational apprenticeship in democracy. Qualified, caring, competent teachers are essential to accomplish this mission. (PKP)

Discusses several reasons teachers give for leaving or considering leaving the profession: Pressures of increased accountability, workload issues, student attitudes, lack of parent support, tension between faculty and administration, and low status of the profession. Suggests strategies to improve working conditions for teachers. (Contains 23…

Argues for the expanded definition of giftedness to include the acquisition of social capital. Describes efforts to create learning environments that familiarize gifted students with certain co-cognitive traits essential for the development of social awareness and responsibility. (Contains 12 references.) (PKP)

Results of the 34th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the public's attitudes toward the public schools. Reports, for example, that school-age parents continue to regard local schools favorably, 71 percent of whom give the school attended by their oldest child a grade of A or B. (PKP)

Discusses policy implications of the 34th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll. For example, opinion differences by age, race, and home location are so significant that they must be recognized and addressed. (PKP)

Discusses the results of two studies comparing charters schools with traditional schools. Both studies suggest that charter schools are more successful in retaining better teachers than are traditional schools. Finds, for example, charter schools are much more likely than traditional public schools to employ teachers who lack regular state…

Elementary teacher tells how she uses differentiation (variety of individualized learning activities and options) to improve students' writing skills. (PKP)

Describes 10 lessons to help educators create more inclusive schools for students with disabilities. For example, to develop a successful inclusive school requires major changes in the entire school. (Contains 31 references.) (PKP)

Discusses several beliefs that work against the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood programs. For example, parents of nondisabled children do not want their children to attend inclusive programs. Provides evidence to counter these beliefs. (Contains 12 references.) (PKP)

High school English teacher shares lessons she learned about classroom management and discipline. Includes copy of memo given to students on first day of class that establishes classroom expectations, procedures, rules, and policies. (PKP)

Describes staff-development plan related to the implementation of the Orange County (Florida) Literacy Project, a research-based literacy-improvement program for middle-school students. Defines literacy as reading, speaking, listening, viewing, and thinking. (PKP)

A summer reading list for teachers and policymakers including such books as "The View from Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg and "It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folktale" by Margot Zemach. (PKP)

Highlights recommendations of seven task groups of Maryland's Visionary Panel for Better Schools to align state and local educational systems to support teachers and students. The task groups covered accountability, achievement, assessment, leadership, learning, public support, and teacher quality. (PKP)

Describes educational resources available as free downloads on the Internet. Includes, for example, websites for downloads of the "Digest of Education Statistics 2001," ERIC Digests, and other educational resources available in .pdf format from such organizations as the Educational Testing Service, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Association of…