Education & Pedagogy

Surveyed 252 teacher preparation programs nationwide and interviewed chairpersons of programs that used collaborative infusion approaches as a means of delivering special education content in preservice teacher education. One quarter of the programs used collaborative infusion in some form, generally to supplement other approaches. Chairpersons considered this approach beneficial to both students and participating faculty. Disadvantages included time-intensiveness and lack of congruence with university structures. (SM)

Reviews an essay on the realistic approach to teacher education, which challenges the technical-rationality model of teacher education and consequent dichotomy of theory and practice and develops the ALACT model (Action, Looking back on the Action, Creating alternative methods of action, and Trial of alternative action). Suggests that the essay requires teacher educators to critically examine their own goals, purposes, and practices. (SM)

A 3-year study will examine conflict in professional field education. Stage 1 will collect narratives about critical incidents from student-field instructor-faculty member triads in the fields of education, medicine, nursing, and social work. Stage 2 will focus on analysis of narratives. Stage 3 will include multidisciplinary conversations among faculty and field practitioners about the narratives. (TD)

Explored the impact of mentoring via the Internet within two special education teacher preparation programs in which graduate students mentored undergraduate students. Data from pre- and post-intervention surveys, Internet interactions, and video conferencing indicated that participants considered Internet mentoring a positive experience that supported their intervention and teaming skills and positively influenced their communication and teaching skills. (SM)

Analyzes the importance of vocational education in the careers of six cohorts born in the Federal Republic of Germany between 1919 and 1961. Questions how the behavior of the cohorts regarding vocational training and further education changed over a period of four decades. (CMK)

A conference of 47 science, mathematics, and technology educators and rural education experts from across the country prepared a research agenda regarding science and mathematics achievement in poor, rural schools. Researchable questions were grouped into categories of community support, instructional resources, leadership and school reform, professional development, preservice education and induction, curriculum and instruction, and databases. (Contains 21 references.) (TD)

Examines Hong Kong's educational system following reversion to the jurisdiction of mainland China in 1997. Presents an overview of the education system, education and schooling in a post-colonial context, school curriculum reform, improving student assessment mechanisms, enhancing access and equity, improving teacher education and professionalism, interfacing information technology in education, and educational expenditure and resource allocation. (SD)

Examines the experiences of 12 working class women attending an Access course at an inner city further education college. Risks and costs involved in transitioning to higher education were evident in the women's narratives. Material and cultural factors inhibited their access to higher education. The desire to "give something back" motivated participants' attempts to move into higher education. Participants juggled work, child care, and domestic responsibilities with studying. (SM)

Describes a collaborative partnership between a special education professor and a general education professor within a program that highlights the integration of two courses: Academic Curricular Adaptations and Elementary Social Studies Methods and Curriculum. The article discusses the coteaching model and describes the integrated curriculum and assessments, offering recommendations for those considering coteaching partnerships and collaborative models in higher education. (SM)

Asserts the importance of self-study in teacher education practices to promote reflective teaching, suggesting that self-study serves as a means to promote reflective teaching and as a substantive end of teacher education. A five-part theoretical rationale for using self-study in reflection-oriented teacher education is presented (e.g., the congruence of reflection with the activity of teaching, opportunities to model reflective practice, and possibilities for programmatic change). (SM)

Presents the background to the standards movement in U.S. education, asserting that it has had a negative impact on teacher education and teacher education accreditation. The article describes a recent accreditation review of the application of an overly narrow understanding of standards and legitimate evidence, and it suggests a possible alternative and more responsive and responsible view of assessment. (SM)

Discusses a survey of recent within-company further education publications available in German speaking areas, Anglo-Saxon countries, France, and Switzerland. Argues that there is a basic consensus evident in these publications. Critiques published patent remedies for controlling within-company further education. Searches for new methods of constructive control of further education. (CAJ)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 1997 amendments that are important to rural schools are funding compliance requirements, changes in identification and evaluation of students with disabilities, and qualitative standards for providing special education and related services. Guidelines resulting from court decisions are presented concerning use of resources, accommodations, modifications, and qualitative standards in rural special education programs. (Author/TD)

Examines gendered structures and processes of primary teacher education in Finland from a historical perspective, asserting that Finnish female teachers have been and are educated to be the "responsible other" and to be marginalized in comparison to male teachers. The paper states that primary education is considered one of the environments that reproduces gendered divisions and maintains otherness in societal and personal histories. (SM)

Stimulated by severe teacher shortages, teacher education in the Netherlands is changing toward competence-based, work- based-, and market-oriented programs. A Dutch scenario project was developed in which four scenarios for the future of teacher education emerged. These scenarios were structured by the freedom of schools to define the type of teacher education they wanted and the freedom of students in taking responsibility for their own learning. (SM)