This theme issue focuses on professionalism in teaching. It begins with an article in Viewpoints/Controversies titled "A Renewed Sense for the Purposes of Schooling: The Challenges of Education and Social Cohesion in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Central Asia" (Stephen P. Heyneman; Sanja Todoric-Bebic). In Open File: Professionalism in Teaching section, the articles are: "The Paradoxical Profession: Teaching at the Turn of the Century" (Andy Hargreaves; Leslie N. K. Lo); "The Principled Professional" (Ivor F. Goodson); "Strategic Intentions for Professionals in World-Class Schools" (Brian J. Caldwell); "Professionals and Parents: Personal Adversaries or Public Allies" (Andy Hargreaves); "When Teaching Changes, Can Teacher Education Be Far Behind?" (Miriam Ben-Peretz);"Professional Development in the United States: Policies and Practices" (Ann Lieberman; Milbrey McLaughlin); "Educational Reform and Teacher Development in Hong Kong and on the Chinese Mainland" (Leslie N. K. Lo); and "From Agents of Reform to Subjects of Change: The Teaching Crossroads in Latin America" (Rosa Maria Torres). (BT)