In "Formative Assessment in the Disciplines," Margaret Heritage and E. Caroline Wylie explore the interconnection of ambitious teaching, formative assessment, and disciplinary knowledge. The authors outline a framework to help teachers develop and extend their proficiency in enacting discipline-based formative assessment practices across…

This open access book follows the development of the Building Resilience in Teacher Education (BRiTE) project across Australia and internationally. Drawing on the success of this project and the related research collaborations that have since emerged, it highlights the importance of cultivating resilience at various stages of teachers' careers.…

Over the past decade, as their work has grown increasingly complex, teachers have come under increasing scrutiny. Most are coping with more students, smaller raises, and fewer resources. Educators are expected to meet higher standards and demonstrate their impact on student learning, often with an increasingly diverse and challenging student…

This enlightening handbook offers current, international perspectives on the conditions in communities, contemporary practices in schooling, relevant research on teaching and learning, and implications for the future of education. It contains diverse conceptual frameworks for analyzing existing issues in education, including but not limited to…

In recent years teacher educators have witnessed an increase in the number of alternative pathways to university-based teacher education for prospective teachers. One option is for second-career teachers to enter post-baccalaureate programs in education; however, the experiences of second-career teachers are largely unexplored in the international…

This article features an innovative project called the "Teacher Learning Center" (TLC) that is jointly funded by the South Dakota Department of Education, Black Hills State University (BHSU), and the Spearfish School District in Spearfish, South Dakota. The purpose of this project was to provide opportunities for preservice and new…

Educational reform movements, university teacher education accreditation requirements and federal laws have increased the emphasis on the need for beginning teacher follow-up studies. The information gained from beginning teachers is critical for university teacher preparation programs, state departments of education, and school districts in…

The number of induction programs available to teachers is increasing rapidly, and by necessity these programs are designed to meet the needs of all teachers regardless of their preparation and academic background. This study examines the impact of a science-focused induction program on secondary science teachers from different preparation…

This article presents a case study of Mark Westin from his first to his fifth year of teaching fifth grade in an urban public school. Despite extreme management challenges and limited administrative support in a school with unusually high turnover, Mark persevered through his difficult novice years to become among the most respected and dedicated…

This booklet discusses what teachers may encounter in their first year of teaching, presenting information from teachers themselves. Information comes mainly from a series of discussions held among winners of the First Class Teachers Award sponsored every year by Sallie Mae, a corporation dedicated to education. Focus group discussions with…

This fastback provides practical information to help teachers better fulfill their roles in the mentoring process. The first section, "Introduction," explains the importance of the mentoring relationship. The second section, "Characteristics of a Good Mentor," highlights four core concepts: a mentor leads through example, a mentor leads through…

This publication offers orientation materials for new cooperating teachers at Millersville University, Pennsylvania. The materials consist of nine stations with questions that can be used in a workshop format to generate discussion or which can be answered in writing by a teacher who is working through these materials in a home-study program. Side…

This study describes and assesses factors contributing to the support and satisfaction of seven graduates of an alternate route program during their preparation and first two years of teaching. Participating in a cohort, completing a full year internship prior to assuming teaching responsibilities, and receiving mentor support during a full year…

This book lays out the fundamentals for helping new teachers succeed in the schools of the next century. Each part features a collection of chapters from educational leaders. An introductory part presents, "A New Teacher's World: Not Your Grandmother's Classroom" (Marge Scherer). Part 1, "What Do New Teachers Need?" includes:…

The purpose of this study was to examine reflective thinking as it related to instructional and personality characteristics of an effective teacher. During semistructured interviews, 42 first-year teachers identified the characteristics of an effective teacher and compared their own professional development to these ideal images. Comments from…