Describes the use of contrastive rhetoric theory as a framework for a methods course in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Specific examples of problem areas are discussed, examples of contrastive rhetoric between several languages are examined, and classroom activities to help students understand contrastive rhetoric are outlined.…

Describes issues experienced by university faculty members during the creation of two university/middle school partnerships. Benefits included a broader community of professional colleagues, opportunities for research collaboration, and firsthand experience with school reform. Tensions included conflicts with the university's reward system, time…

Provides a rationale for using developmental portfolios in preservice teacher education, describing how portfolios have been used in teacher education programs and discussing contributions portfolios can make in helping candidates reflect on the pre-student teaching segment of the program and make the transition from student to student teacher and…

Examines the university's role in professionalizing rural teachers, contending that lack of a substantive definition of education's public purpose creates teachers who are unprepared to contribute meaningfully to the intellectual life of their communities. Teacher preparation programs should abandon the instrumental focus and confront unique…

Using data from an ethnographic study of the use of metaphors by rural teachers, this paper explores how rural teachers experience a sense of place, asking if they actively craft their own metaphors of schooling and examining the potential of metaphors of place to contribute to more substantive and reflective policy making for rural schools. (SM)

Assessed the importance of knowledge and skill competencies in applied behavior analysis by experienced teachers of students with emotional-behavioral disorders (E/BD) who completed E/BD knowledge and skill competency rating scales. Teachers considered applied behavior analysis competencies very important to their teaching knowledge and skills.…

Explored the potential of the case method in teacher professional development. Experienced Israeli teachers were exposed to a case, and researchers characterized the resulting dialog. Teacher interviews indicated that teachers found the language of the case communicative. Teachers viewed this method as respectable and credible, though most did not…

Reviews the basic principles of behaviorology, beginning with the work of B.F. Skinner, examining how these principles can be applied in creating responsive learning environments and delineating a system of steps needed to transform an ineffective instructional situation, characterized by chronic failure, into a learning environment that is…

Examined the experiences of two female African American preservice teachers in a predominantly white teacher education program. Data from ongoing interviews, observations, papers, projects, presentations, lesson plans, and class notes indicated that the students frequently encountered overt and "dysconscious racism." Their experiences…

Argues for the inclusion of assessment coursework as a necessary component in teacher education through a demonstration of the relationship between test validity and the law. Focuses on the seventh assessment competency listed in the Standards for Teacher Competence in Educational Assessment of Students: recognizing unethical, illegal, and…

Surveyed third-grade Massachusetts English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers regarding models of ESL instruction used, noting types of cooperating teachers available to mentor preservice teachers. Independent ESL classrooms tended to be combined with or replaced by pull-out or push-in services. ESL teachers were experienced and usually…

Surveyed teacher education faculty and administrators regarding their views on organizational health in teacher education programs, measuring organizational health on 11 dimensions. Results supported an average view of organizational health. There were relatively high levels of interpersonal trust. The weakest dimension of organizational health…

Investigated the effect of a three-semester diversity cohort experience for college of education, arts and sciences, and K-12 educators. Survey results described three change/diversity-training factors: readiness for change, community building, and utilization of adult-learning principles. Results highlighted the possibility of delivering an…

Relates the experiences of a young, disabled Amish woman in a teacher preparation program, emphasizing the cultural conflicts and personal sacrifices she encountered while pursuing her teaching degree. This student's story emphasizes the ongoing need for appreciating multiculturalism in the United States, examining the responsibility of educators…

Followed four gifted and talented students over several years to examine the nature of their educations and the differentiation offered to them. Based on problems in their programs unearthed through the case studies, systematic interventions were implemented to improve differentiation for each student personally. Results support personalized…