Articles

• An Introductory Experience with Lesson Study
  Mary T. McMahon
  During a summer lesson study experience, middle school mathematics and science teachers planned, taught, evaluated, revised, re-taught and reflected on a lesson concerning spatial visualization and geometric reasoning. Teachers found that the lesson study process improves lesson planning and furthers their professional development.
• Increasing Teacher Efficacy in High-Need Schools: Lessons from American History Teachers
  Rachel G. Ragland and Michael H. Ebner
  A collaborative partnership involving secondary history teachers from a high-need school district and college professors in history and education provides a model for professional development that increases teacher efficacy by enhancing teachers' belief in their ability to have a positive impact on the lives of their students.
• A Collaborative Approach to Multicultural Education
  Penny L. Finley
  In partnership with a K-3 school, Elmhurst College teacher educators and pre-service teachers developed a new approach to multicultural education. The project successfully integrated social studies curricula, field experience, and service to the school and the community.
• Talented Teachers and Teens: Connecting Teacher Candidates
  Jerald A. Thomas
  Thomas reports on Aurora University's five-day mathematics and science experience for gifted middle school students from high-need schools. The project was designed to engage students in meaningful, authentic, field-based math/science experiences and to introduce pre-service teachers to the challenges and complexity of teaching in this specialized setting.
• Preparing Future Teachers to be Culturally Competent: An Innovative Program for Educators
  Laura Zumdahl, Mackenzi Huyser, Rose Malinowski, Don Woo, and Trina Vallone
  Created and implemented as a collaboration between the Departments of Education and Social Work at Trinity Christian College, this innovative program sought to increase cultural competence in pre-service teachers and pre-teach students by providing intensive training and leadership opportunities to future teachers interested in working in high-need schools.
• Seven Habits Collaborative Initiative between Quincy University and Dewey Elementary School
  Ann Behrens
  Working collaboratively with the principal and teachers at an elementary school, Quincy education faculty and pre-service candidates and implemented the principles of Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People throughout the curriculum in order to cultivate a school climate of high standards and expectations for all.

Columns

Jan Fitzsimmons
The publisher of Success in High-Need Schools underscores the critical role of innovation in introducing this issue's articles on the methods and results of Innovation Projects.

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Candace Baker, James A. Rabbitt, and Jennifer Briody
In this column James Rabbitt and his colleagues at Saint Xavier University describe an innovative use of technology that makes teacher education advisory committees more effective and efficient for participants.

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Judith Kaminski
An Elmhurst College administrator reflects on key ingredients for successful college-school collaboration.

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