"A lot of enthusiasm exists for the idea of teaching for understanding - a concept that portrays teachers as guides, coaches, and facilitators of student learning. But what does it really look like in a classroom? And how do we get there?" "In this book, leading experts on teaching and policy research provide concrete illustrations of what teaching for understanding entails. They show how, for example, to foster the knowledge, capabilities and professional beliefs essential for teachers moving beyond a "teach and test" approach to analytic reflection on classroom life and their relationship with students' learning. And they describe the collegial relations and institutional arrangements that support or inhibit the process of teachers and students working together in developing knowledge." "By highlighting the central issues for practice, policy, and research, the authors explain how diverse institutions - legislatures, state departments of education, schools of education, districts, teacher organizations - can work together to promote and support teaching for understanding."--Jacket.