Becoming a Teacher, Seventh Edition, takes a straightforward look at what it means to be a professional teacher in today's rapidly changing, high-stakes environment of education.   Building upon a strong “mentoring” message that has long been the tradition of Becoming a Teacher, the Seventh Edition helps students make difficult decisions about their teaching future by fostering an awareness of the realities of teaching in America today. This no-nonsense approach provides students with the tools and information necessary to answer the questions, “What does it take to succeed as a teacher today?” and “Do I want to teach?” Along the way, the authors provide practical perspectives for meeting the challenges of teaching. Organized into four parts, the book addresses both practical and foundational topics to give readers a well-rounded view of the teaching profession.

Table of Contents:
  I. THE TEACHING PROFESSION.     1. Teaching: Your Chosen Profession.   Why Do You Want to Teach?             Desire to Work with Children and Young People A Passion for Teaching             Influence of Teachers Desire to Serve             Practical Benefits of Teaching What Challenges Will I Confront as a Teacher?             Classroom Management and Increasing School Violence Social Problems That Impact Students Inadequate Family and Community Support Long Working Hours and Job Stress Gaining Professional Empowerment What Is It Like to be a Teacher?             Reality 1: Unpredictable Outcomes Reality 2: Assessing Students’ Learning Reality 3: Limited Influence on Students’ Behavior Reality 4: The Importance of Teachers’ Attitudes Reality 5: The Unpredictability and Immediacy of Teaching Reality 6: The Uniqueness of Teaching What Will Society Expect of Me as a Teacher?             The Public Trust Teacher Competency and Effectiveness Teacher Accountability How Do Accomplished Teachers View Their Work?             A Way of Being A Creative Endeavor A Live Performance A Form of Empowerment An Opportunity to Serve Keepers of the Dream    2. Learning to Teach.    What Knowledge Do You Need to Teach?             Self-Knowledge Knowledge of Students             Knowledge of Subject             Knowledge of How to Use Educational Theory and Research             Reflection and Problem Solving What Are Five Views of the Teacher Knowledge Base?             A Personal Development View Research-Based Competencies State Standards A Job-Analysis Approach Professional Views How Do Reforms in Teacher Education Affect You? Increased Academic Preparation Expanded Role for Schools State Standards Boards What Can You Learn from Observing in Classrooms? Technology and Classroom Observations Focused Observations Observation Instruments How Can You Gain Practical Experience for Becoming a Teacher?              Classroom Experiences             Student Teaching             Gaining Experiences in Multicultural Settings Induction and Internship Programs Substitute Teaching How Can You Develop Your Teaching Portfolio?             Portfolio Contents Using a Portfolio How Can You Benefit from Mentoring Relationships? What Opportunities for Continuing Professional Development Will You Have?             Self-Assessment for Professional Growth Teacher Workshops Teacher Centers Professional Development Schools Supervision and Mentoring of Student Teachers Graduate Study             Study on the Internet    II. FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING.   3. Ideas and Events That Have Shaped Education in the United States.   What Determines Your Educational Philosophy?             Beliefs About Teaching and Learning Beliefs About Students Beliefs About Knowledge Beliefs About What Is Worth Knowing What Are the Branches of Philosophy? Metaphysics Epistemology Axiology What Are Five Modern Philosophical Orientations to Teaching? Perennialism Essentialism Progressivism Existentialism Social Reconstructionism What Psychological Orientations Have Influenced Teaching Philosophies? Humanistic Philosophy Behaviorism             Constructivism How Can You Develop Your Educational Philosophy? What Were Teaching and Schools Like in the American Colonies (1620-1750)?             Colonial Schools The Origins of Mandated Education Education for African Americans and Native Americans What Were the Goals of Education during the Revolutionary Period (1750-1820)? Benjamin Franklin’s Academy Sarah Pierce’s Female Academy Thomas Jefferson’s Philosophy Noah Webster’s Speller How Was the Struggle Won for State-Supported Common Schools (1820-1865)? Horace Mann’s Contributions Reverend W. H. McGuffy’s Readers Justin Morrill’s Land-Grant Schools How Did Compulsory Education Change Schools and the Teaching Profession (1865-1920)?             Higher Education for African Americans The Kindergarten The Professionalization of Teaching What Were the Aims of Education during the Progressive Era (1920-1945)?             John Dewey’s Laboratory School Maria Montessori’s Method Education of Immigrants and Minorities How Did Education Change during the Modern Postwar Era (1945-Present)? The 1950s: Defense Education and School Desegregation The 1960s: The War on Poverty and the Great Society The 1970s: Accountability and Equal Opportunity The 1980s: A Great Debate The 1990s: Teacher Leadership The New Century: Continuing the Quest for Excellence    4. Social Realities and Today’s Schools.   What is the Role of Schools in Today’s Society? Schools and Prosocial Values Schools and Socialization of the Young Schools and Social Change Schools and Equal Educational Opportunity How Can Schools Be Described? Metaphors for Schools Schools and Social Class What Are Schools Like as Social Institutions? The School as a Reflection of Society The Culture of the School The Culture of the Classroom What are the Characteristics of Successful Schools? Measures of Success Research on School Effectiveness What Social Problems Affect Schools and Place Students at Risk? Identifying Students at Risk Children and Poverty Family Stress Substance Abuse Violence and Crime Teen Pregnancy Suicide Among Children and Youths How Are Schools Addressing Societal Problems? Peer Counseling and Peer Mediation Full-Service Community Schools School-Based Interprofessional Case Management Compensatory Education Alternative Schools and Curricula How Can Community-Based Partnerships Address Social Problems That Hinder Students’ Learning? The Community as a Resource for Schools Schools as Resources for Communities   5. Struggles for Control of Schools in the United States.   Classroom Case: Educational Politics and Schools Who Struggles for Control of Schools in the United States? Teacher Accountability How Does the Local Community Influence Schools? Local School District School Board Superintendent of Schools The Role of Parents School Restructuring School-Based Management What Powers and Influence Do States Have In Governing Schools? The Roles of State Government in Education State Board of Education State Department of Education Chief State School Officer How Do Regional Education Agencies Assist Schools? How Does the Federal Government Influence Education? U.S. Department of Education How Are Schools Financed in the United States? Local Funding State Funding Federal Funding What Are Some Trends in Funding for Equity and Excellence? Tax Reform and Redistricting Vertical Equity School Choice Voucher Systems Corporate-Education Partnerships How Will the Privatization Movement Affect Equity and Excellence in Education?             Charter Schools             For-Profit Schools   6. Ethical and Legal Issues in U. S.Education.   Why Do You Need a Professional Code of Ethics? Ethical Teaching Attitudes and Practices Ethical Dilemmas in Classroom and School What Are Your Legal Rights as a Teacher? Certification Teachers’ Rights to Nondiscrimination Teaching Contracts Due Process in Tenure and Dismissal Academic Freedom Do Student Teachers Have the Same Rights? What Are Your Legal Responsibilities as a Teacher? Avoiding Tort Liability Reporting Child Abuse Observing Copyright Laws What Are the Legal Rights of Students and Parents? Freedom of Expression Due Process in Suspension and Expulsion Reasonable Search and Seizure Privacy Students’ Rights to Nondiscrimination What Are Some Issues in the Legal Rights of School Districts? Corporal Punishment Sexual Harassment Religious Expression Home Schooling   III. THE ART OF TEACHING.   7. Teaching Diverse Learners.   How Is Diversity Reflected in the Culture of the United States? The Meaning of Culture Ethnicity and Race The Concept of Minorities Stereotyping and Racism What Does Equal Educational Opportunity Mean? Education and African Americans Education and Latino and Hispanic Americans Education and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Education and Native Americans and Alaskan Natives What Is Meant by Bilingual Education? Research and Debate on Bilingual Programs Advice for Monolingual Teachers What Is Multicultural Education? Dimensions of Multicultural Education Multicultural Curricula Multicultural Instructional Materials and Strategies How Is Gender a Dimension of Multicultural Education? Gender Differences Gender and Education Gender-Fair Classrooms and Curricula   8. Addressing Learners’ Individual Needs.   How Do Students’ Needs Change as They Develop? Piaget’s Model of Cognitive Development Erikson’s Model of Psychosocial Development Kohlberg’s Model of Moral Development Maslow’s Model of a Hierarchy of Needs Developmental Stresses and Tasks of Childhood Developmental Stresses and Tasks of Adolescence How Do Students Vary in Intelligence? Intelligence Testing Multiple Intelligences Learning Styles How Do Students Vary in Ability and Disability? Exceptional Learners Students with Disabilities Students Who Are Gifted and Talented What Are Special Education, Mainstreaming, and Inclusion? Special Education Laws Meeting the Mainstreaming Challenge The Debate Over Inclusion Equal Opportunity for Exceptional Learners How Can You Teach All Learners in Your Inclusive Classroom? Collaborative Consultation with Other Professionals Working with Parents Assistive Technology for Special Learners   9. Authentic Instruction and Curricula for Creating a Community of Learners.   What Determines the Culture of the Classroom? Classroom Climate Classroom Dynamics How Can You Create a Positive Learning Environment? The Caring Classroom The Physical Environment of the Classroom Classroom Organization What Are the Keys to Successful Classroom Management? The Democratic Classroom Preventive Planning Effective Responses to Student Behavior What Teaching Methods Do Effective Teachers Use? Methods Based on Learning New Behaviors Methods Based on Child Development Methods Based on the Thinking Process Methods Based on Peer-Mediated Instruction What Is Taught in Schools? Kinds of Curriculum Curriculum Content How Is the School Curriculum Developed? The Focus of Curriculum Planning Student-Centered versus Subject-Centered Curricula The Integrated Curriculum Who Plans the Curriculum? What Influences Curricular Decisions? Textbook Publishing   10. Curriculum Standards, Assessment, and Student Learning.   What Role will Standards Play in Your Classroom? What Is Standards-Based Education?             Content and Performance Standards             Standards Developed by Professional Associations             “Aligning” Curricula and Textbooks with Standards What Controversies Surround the Effort to Raise Standards?             Arguments in Support of Raising Standards             Concerns About Raising Standards             Standards, Testing, and Accountability             Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)             High Stakes Testing What Methods Can You Use to Assess Student Learning?             Purposes of Classroom Assessment             Emerging Trends in Classroom Assessment How Can You Develop High-Quality Classroom Assessments?             Validity and Reliability             Scoring Rubrics             Multiple Measures of Student Learning   11. Teaching with Technology.   How Is Technology Transforming Teaching and Learning? Technology and the Challenge to Schools             E-Learning and Virtual Schools What Technologies Are Available for Teaching? The Television in Classrooms The Computer Revolution The “Magic” of Media The Internet How Do Teachers Use Computers and the Internet? Preparing Lessons Communicating with Other Educators Posting Information and Student Work on the Web Facilitating Students’ Learning Via Computers and Cyberspace Does Computer Technology Enhance Student Learning? Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow Project (ACOT) Findings from Other Research Studies Should Technology Lead the Way in Improving U. S. Schools? The Opposition: Computers Will Not Improve Education The Advocates: Computers Will Improve Education What Are the Challenges of Integrating Technology Into Schools?             Broadband Internet Access for All Schools Digital Quality Educational Software and WWW Sites High Quality, Continuous Training in Technology for Teachers   IV. YOUR TEACHING FUTURE.   12. Teachers as Educational Leaders.   To What Extent Is Teaching a Full Profession? Institutional Monopoly of Services Teacher Autonomy Years of Education and Training Provision of Essential Service Degree of Self-Governance Professional Associations Professional Knowledge and Skills Level of Public Trust Prestige, Benefits, and Pay What Is Professionalism in Teaching? Professional Behavior Lifelong Learning Involvement in the Profession To What Professional Organizations Do Teachers Belong? The National Education Association The American Federation of Teachers The NEAFT Partnership Other Professional Organizations What New Leadership Roles for Teachers Are Emerging? Teacher Involvement in Teacher Education, Certification, and Staff Development Teacher-Leaders Dimensions of Teacher Leadership Beyond the Classroom How Do Teachers Contribute to Educational Research? Sources of Educational Research Government Resources for Research Application Conducting Classroom Action Research How Are Teachers Providing Leadership for School Restructuring and Curriculum Reform? Leadership and Collaboration for School Reform Collaborative School Reform Networks   13. Your First Teaching Position.   How Will You Become Certified or Licensed to Teach? State Certification Requirements Alternative Certification The Praxis Series Will You Have Difficulty Finding a Teaching Job? Demand by Geographic Region and Specialty Area Other Career Opportunities for Teachers How Will You Find Your First Teaching Job? Finding Out About Teaching Vacancies Preparing Your Résumé Writing Letters of Inquiry and Applications Participating in a Job Interview Accepting an Offer What Can You Expect as a Beginning Teacher? The First Day Advice from Experienced Teachers How Can You Become a Part of Your Learning Community? Relationships with Students Relationships with Colleagues and Staff Relationships with Administrators Relationships with Parents Community Relations How Can You Participate in Teacher Collaboration? Peer Coaching Staff Development Team Teaching Co-Teaching How Will Your Performance as a Teacher Be Evaluated? Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation Clinical Supervision   Glossary.   References.   Name Index.   Subject Index.