In June 2004, millions of parents and teachers across the United States will receive report cards in the mail alerting them that their local schools have "failed". For many Americans, this will be the first introduction to President Bush's controversial No Child Left Behind legislation, which calls for expanded student testing, more stringent accountability requirements, and annual school-focused report cards at the state, district, and school levels. The legislation ties substantial federal funds for disadvantaged students--which many schools have already been receiving for almost four decades--to performance requirements dictated by the new legislation.

This book is for teachers and student teachers looking to improve their practice in primary science. Throughout the book, the focus is on the learning of science as an investigative process through which pupils develop an understanding of ideas. This is supported by modules on different aspects of teaching and learning in science, including: Building on children's own ideas How to ask and answer questions Managing practical work in the classroom Science for very young children Effective assessment, self-assessment and feedback Cross-curricular links ICT and science Science outside the classroom Each module comprises of an introduction to the aspect.

Gordon and Maxey explore the reasons beginning teachers struggle and provide research-based plans for helping these newcomers make the most of their initial teaching years. They propose Beginning Teacher Assistance Programs (BTAPs) as a practical strategy for success. BTAPs have a proven track record for improving beginning teachers= skills, attitudes, and chances of fulfilling their potential as educators.

Helping teachers develop - whether they're trainees, newly or recently qualified, in their first three, ten or twenty years, and whether they're superb or struggling - is vital for the profession, for the millions of children who'll learn more as a result.
Schools have to take greater responsibility for staff's continuing professional development (CPD) but there is little real help for the people who develop teachers. The best teachers will be expected to mentor trainee and newly qualified teachers (NQTs) and share good practice with all colleagues.

In this book, Karen Hammerness uses vision to shed light on the complex relationship between teachers' ideals and the realities of school life. Through the compelling stories of four teachers, she reveals how teacher educators can help new teachers articulate, develop, and sustain their visions and assist them as they navigate the gap between their visions and their daily work. She shows us how vision can...