A 1-day workshop preceded a meeting of the National Educational Research Policies and Priorities Board of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) to help the Board consider the most appropriate structure for research and dissemination in education. The workshop opened with a presentation by William Raub, who provided a view on…

This volume examines teacher education in countries having vigorous reform movements, along with their potential to influence other countries. The issue of teacher education in liberal and people's democracies as well as in industrial and developing countries is studied. Attention is called to such topics as aims and content of teacher education;…

The 13 papers in this collection, which served as the basis for policy recommendations in "What Matters Most," a major report of the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, synthesize important research in the fields of teaching and teacher education. Emphasized throughout is the importance of a significant and sustained…

This book, part of a series about differing viewpoints on education in America, examines how education can be improved for this and future generations of America's youth. The following papers and their authors are included: "Public Education Needs Extensive Reform" (John Taylor Gatto); "Public Education Does Not Need Extensive…

The 1954 Supreme Court decision in the case of "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas" provided the legal basis for equal educational opportunity. More than 40 years after the decision, equal opportunity, equal access, and affirmative action remain issues of intense debate. This book offers essays by 23 prominent voices in…

Collaboration between schools and institutions of higher education (IHE) is usually effective only when values are shared and mutual dependencies are recognized. These conditions are uncommon. The foundation upon which such collaboration could be developed requires several building blocks: (1) developing shared goals regarding teacher learning;…

Few positive comments about the way the nation prepares its teachers have been made. Many teacher education programs are in disarray due to inept staff and curricula that have not kept up with research results. In addition, many state agencies have set teacher certification requirements that are political in nature. From current analyses of…

These notes offer an overview of the elements that must be considered in designing an effective teacher education program. Each of the following is discussed: (1) the characteristics of an effective career teacher; (2) professional knowledge capabilities and skills often identified as topics that should be included in the teacher education…

The Holmes Group proposals for reforming teacher education are evaluated by looking at the effects on teacher knowledge and competence, attraction and retention of talented teachers, organization of schools and the teaching profession, and cost effectiveness. (MT)

The cost of extending teacher education to include a fifth year would be six billion dollars annually, and there is no evidence that extended programs produce more effective teachers. (Author/MSE)

Questions activities of the Holmes Group, noting that, if the activities do not result in the exemplification of excellence in teaching and teacher education, the group's claim to leadership is questionable. The criticism claims that the group discourages more fundamental and promising changes in teacher education than it advocates. (SM)

The recent National Policy Board for Educational Administration report ("Improving the Preparation of School Administrators: An Agenda for Reform") does not address fundamental questions or make convincing proposals concerning the preparation of school administrators. The report's nine overall recommendations for improving school administration…

Discusses the implications of five-year teacher preparation programs. Argues that different strategies and curricula should be tested and evaluated before mandating major system-wide changes in teacher certification requirements. (FMW)

Although typical school administration program deserves criticism, it would be impossible for a university-based preparation program to cover all topics identified in AASA's "Professional Standards for Superintendents." Universities understandably stress theory and cannot substitute for rich professional development program in school…

Identifies questions related to the processes and consequences of alternative teacher certification (AC), answers questions with research-based facts, proposes key elements of a model AC program, and draws conclusions about the directions AC may take and its probable effects on educational reform and on the professionalization of teaching. (SM)