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Thin article reports on efforts to improve beginning teachers' induction experiences across the state of Illinois. The authors focus on the role of the Illinois New Teacher Collaborative (INTC), which was created to promote new teacher induction in Illinois and to supply resources and support for new teachers and for those who support them. This article, which builds on Wilkins and Clift (2007), describes challenges facing Illinois state-funded induction programs and INTC's responses, including professional development opportunities and web-based resources and discussion forums. The authors make the case for induction programs and for state funding, and for the importance of having an independent entity to provide support for and to conduct research with the programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe knowledge of the cervical cancer prevention process among rural and urban women referred for evaluation of abnormal cytology., Materials and Methods: Women with abnormal screening cervical cytology attending university colposcopy clinics (n = 178) were asked about demographic factors and knowledge of Pap testing, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and risk factors for cervical cancer. Responses were tabulated, and correlations assessed., Results: Only 131 (74%) of 176 responding women understood that Pap tests evaluate the cervix, whereas 137 (78%) understood that Pap tests should be repeated at intervals of 1-3 years. The cancer screening function of a Pap test was identified by 122/177 (69%), but only 99 (56%) knew HPV is sexually transmitted and causes warts and premalignant changes. Rural residence was not associated with knowledge, but older women were more likely to know the nature of the Pap test (p =.005) and the meaning of an abnormal Pap test (p = .04). Women in higher income strata were more likely to understand the meaning of an abnormal Pap test (p = .03), the nature of HPV (p = .005), and risk factors for cervical cancer (p = .03). College graduates were better (p = .0005), and women of greater parity were less (p = .02) able than others to identify the nature of HPV, although neither differed from others in ability to answer other questions correctly (p > .1)., Conclusions: Income and education are better predictors of knowledge of the cervical cancer prevention process than rural residence. Higher rates of cervical cancer in rural areas may reflect lower educational attainment and lower income.