The present study (n = 761, 58.1% female) examined whether or not individual learner variables (gender, ethnicity, SES) contribute to differences in mathematics performance as measured by test score and mathematics grade for fifth and sixth grade mathematics students in Alabama. Multiple regression analysis revealed that gender and SES show…

In this paper, we compare teacher and administrator perspectives on multiple dimensions of teacher professionalism. An instrument with a total of 51 professional behaviors and characteristics that operationalize the multiple dimensions of professionalism was developed. Survey participants, including 216 teachers and 89 administrators, were asked…

This article focuses on using dispositions as a gate in the admission process. It describes the rationale, pragmatic considerations, and preliminary findings for using dispositions in the admission process for prospective teachers. Three questions are explored. Should dispositions be used as an admission criterion? Is it reasonable to expect major…

In 1992 the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) coined the term "Dispositions"; the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE, 2002) defined dispositions making dispositions a part of every teacher accreditation process. Since that time educators have struggled over the inevitable challenges…

The Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) was created to provide instructional support to new teachers and raise the level of learning in U. S. classrooms. To reach this goal, INTASC created 10 standards. This article reviews each INTASC standard and aligns each with a classroom activity that can be used to help meet…

Learning how to communicate and instruct non-English proficient students in a regular classroom is a challenging task, especially for novice teachers. New teachers need to overcome fear, insufficient pedagogical knowledge, and lack of teaching experience; therefore, getting started can be the most overwhelming part of the process. This article…

This article introduces a short-term, three week international student teaching internship as a transformational learning experience opportunity. The program has been in operation since 2007. The development and administration of the program, including the relationship between the home and host colleges is presented as well as a discussion on the…

Alumni who are veteran teachers can become a valuable resource for teacher education programs in mentoring beginning teachers from the same institution. An Alumni Mentoring Guild was established through a School of Education and Office of Career Services to bring back alumni to help beginning teachers. Mentors worked with up to three beginning…

With the focus on test scores and accountability, the issues of student growth, leadership and civic responsibility often are overlooked. While achievement is important, leadership and responsibility issues are among those most sought by employers. Some of the most recognized studies, such as "A Nation At Risk" support and encourage what are…

This article describes how two instructors used assessment data to improve an undergraduate course, Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary Classroom. This entailed revising the core assignment for the course--the creation of a thematic unit of instruction--and developing a scoring guide to assess teacher candidates' performance. Data collected…

Roanoke College's Margaret Sue Copenhaver Institute for Teaching and Learning offers a 3-day professional development opportunity which helps classroom teachers construct new knowledge and understanding about teaching and learning through trusting, interdependent interaction with peers and experts. The approach is based on principles that teachers…

Assuming the role of mentor, a group of college of education faculty from the University of Central Florida supported their colleagues in a 45-hour state-mandated faculty development initiative. Two faculty members chronicle the mentor-mentee component of the training, sharing results of a mentee survey. Results suggested that effective mentoring…

Eastern Kentucky University's secondary teacher education program revised a general methods course and content specific methods courses to increase student teachers' effectiveness. Curricular change included more emphasis on classroom management, professional development, and instructional technology. Participant surveys investigated whether the…

In 2001, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education published "Standards for Professional Development Schools," which differ from the 1997 draft standards in their explicit attention to large networks of professional development schools (PDS). Exemplary practices from four large PDS networks demonstrate the applicability of the…

In 1999, a committee from Arkansas Tech University's School of Education began the development of an exit portfolio for assessing and providing feedback on university programs and student interns. The use of the portfolio as an outcome-based assessment offers unique information not available through traditional testing. The developmental phase…