If the middle school is to adequately meet the needs of the particular age group it serves, a new teacher education coalition of school districts, colleges or universities, teacher organizations, and state and federal agencies is needed. Each member of the coalition would have its own role: teacher organizations to assist with recruitment,…

Articles is this issue represent the substantive content of a series of 25 workshops sponsored by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). The four major articles discuss innovative models based on four approaches for improving teacher performance: (1) "Interaction Analysis" by Edmund J. Amidon, San Francisco State…

This article discusses educational equity in terms of access to learning, to resources, and to school, especially among students who are tracked in low ability groups. Given this conception of knowledge equity, equity may only be realized through the actions of local district and school staff. (JL)

This article summarizes research regarding economics education relating to how teacher preparation and training influence student understanding, the role of instructional materials in increasing economic understanding, and how attributes of students influence their ability to learn economics. (CB)

This special issue presents an overview and reprints of 23 articles from 25 years of "Theory Into Practice." It is divided into six general topics: Curriculum; Human Development, Language, and Communication; Instruction and Learning; Organization and Administration; Schooling and Society; and Teacher Education. (MT)

Traditionally, classroom drama is a safe literary activity that involves students in reading or writing scripts. The newer methods that have the students out of their seats improvising drama require training that few teachers have had. Current teacher training methods are described, and alternative methods are suggested. (MT)

This article discusses problems with the learning style-based education paradigm and recommends a six-part approach for matching learning and teaching styles. (DF)

An examination of the movement towards multicultural education shows a revival of ethnic consciousness and responsiveness to meeting student needs. Cultural pluralism needs to permeate both education and public school programs for this change to be completed. Some problems being encountered are discussed. (DF)

A brief description of the University of Florida's Childhood Education Program, which aims to produce teachers who have learned to use themselves effectively as instruments to carry out their educational functions. The research on which the development of the program is based is also reviewed. (HMD)

Task forces are increasingly used in educational planning activities. Some basic functional principles pertaining to task forces are considered and followed by a description of the accomplishments of a current task force which is focusing on personnel preparation for teaching handicapped students. (CJ)

This article delineates areas of conflict that might arise due to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act's proposed implementation at the local education agency level. A strategy for the future development of federal educational policy is described. (CJ)

A four-part rationale for incorporating cross-cultural experiential learning into teacher education programs is presented. To support the claim that cross-cultural experiences contribute to classroom effectiveness as well as to personal growth, examples of successful programs are given and pertinent research studies are cited. (PP)

Results of a test of global awareness administered by the Council on Learning, in cooperation with the Educational Testing Service, to 3,000 undergraduates showed that they generally lacked a global perspective. Regression analysis was performed to determine why education majors' scores were low. Findings and implications for teacher education are…

This article briefly reviews the status of global education in Western Europe and points to new developments and trends. Interdisciplinary curriculum efforts in Scotland, West Germany, and Sweden are cited, along with national curriculum plans in the Scandinavian countries and teacher education programs in Great Britain. (PP)